Thousands of Vermonters Rally Against Trump, Defend Democracy

Protesters gather at the Vermont Statehouse to voice outrage and call for action against the Trump administration's policies.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:53pm

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Thousands of Vermonters from nearly every county in the state took to the streets on March 28, 2026 to protest against the Trump administration and voice their support for democracy. The Vermont Conversation spoke with attendees and legislators at the Statehouse in Montpelier, where the large rally took place as part of the 'No Kings' protest movement that saw demonstrations across the country.

Why it matters

The protests in Vermont reflect a growing national movement against the Trump administration's policies and concerns about the state of American democracy. The large turnout and passionate speeches from lawmakers and citizens highlight the deep divisions in the country and the determination of many to resist what they see as authoritarian tendencies from the federal government.

The details

The rally in Montpelier was part of the 'No Kings' protest movement, with around 50 similar events held across Vermont and over 3,000 demonstrations nationwide that organizers say drew 8-9 million participants, making it the largest day of protest in American history. Protesters expressed their opposition to the Trump administration through creative signs and chants, with many condemning the president as a 'criminal' and 'the greatest threat' to the country's way of life. Lawmakers like Senator Peter Welch and Representative Anne Donahue also addressed the crowd, criticizing the administration's policies on issues like immigration and foreign policy.

  • The 'No Kings' protest in Montpelier took place on March 28, 2026.
  • The nationwide protests were held on the same day, March 28, 2026.

The players

Guy Rock

A resident of Barre, Vermont who was attending his first protest, wearing the military fatigues of his brother, a 16-year service veteran.

Senator Peter Welch

A Democratic senator from Vermont who fired up the crowd from the steps of the Statehouse, having debated funding for the Department of Homeland Security late into the previous night.

Representative Anne Donahue

A 24-year independent member of the Vermont House of Representatives who previously belonged to the Republican Party but left due to her opposition to Donald Trump.

James Lyall

The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont, who expressed confidence that the protesters would overcome the challenges facing democracy.

Seth Fewer

A 15-year-old freshman at Spaulding High School in Barre who supports some of Trump's policies despite opposing the war in Iran.

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What they’re saying

“Donald Trump's a criminal. He's guilty of treason. … He's the greatest threat I've ever seen to our way of life. ICE is an extension of him.”

— Guy Rock, Barre resident

“It's all about the outrage of what happened in Minneapolis, where we saw an incredible rampage of violence by ICE. They literally murdered two people.”

— Senator Peter Welch, Democratic senator from Vermont

“I really fear for our democracy. It's at tremendous risk right now, and a big part of that is people not speaking up and not putting that stake in the ground.”

— Representative Anne Donahue, Independent member of the Vermont House of Representatives

“There are more of us than there are of them, and as long as people continue to show up for one another, creatively, nonviolently and consistently, there's absolutely no question in my mind that we will overcome what we are facing.”

— James Lyall, Executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont

“This country's democracy is at risk right now, and I think that has a direct effect on people's overall health in the long run, the stress that it causes, the risk with people getting improper health care or subpar health care. We need to stand up and rebuild the democracy back to what it was.”

— Dr. Dan Goodyear, Family practice physician in Richmond, Vermont

What’s next

The protesters in Vermont and across the country have vowed to continue their demonstrations and activism in defense of democracy, with more rallies and actions planned in the coming months to challenge the Trump administration's policies.

The takeaway

The massive turnout and passionate speeches at the 'No Kings' protest in Vermont reflect the deep concerns many Americans have about the state of their democracy under the Trump administration. The protesters' determination to keep marching and speaking out, despite the odds, highlights the strength of the grassroots movement to resist what they see as authoritarian tendencies and fight for the democratic values they believe are under threat.