BRATTLEBORO-Local activists are gearing up for a downtown march and rally on April 5, part of a nationwide protest against the Trump administration.
"This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies," organizers wrote in a news release. "Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country."
Over the past two months, there have been weekly protests and marches in Brattleboro. The April 5 event is part of Hands Off! (Handsoff2025.com), a nationwide day of protests. Events are scheduled in Washington, D.C., as well as Boston, New York, and other cities and towns around the U.S.
In Vermont, events are planned in Montpelier, with at least 14 other local protests scheduled.
In addition to Brattleboro, events are set to take place in Chester, Wilmington, Bennington, and Manchester Center, as well as in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and Keene, New Hampshire.
The Brattleboro event starts at 11:30 a.m. with a gathering at Centre Congregational Church. The march to the Common will begin at noon, ending at 12:30 p.m. with a rally with speakers and music. Featured speakers include U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt.; Katie Allaway of Brattleboro Indivisible; and Ian Hefele of the Vermont office of the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC).
"We are fortunate to live in a place where there are many people who are organizing, marches, protest events, boycotts, or strikes," longtime activist Dan DeWalt of Newfane recently wrote. "Here in Windham County, folks who have never before been organizers or activists are stepping up to the task and inspiring us all to join their efforts."
At the same time, he acknowledged that "there will be times when it seems like our task is too big, to fraught with tension and anxiety to get through. But the promise of what this country could be, the futures of all of our fellow creatures, in this country and throughout the world, the hopes that should belong to our children, these are all too important to abandon."
For more information, visit mobilize.us/mobilize/event/765117 or email [email protected].
Wilmington protest
In Wilmington, participants will gather on the lawn in front of Memorial Hall at noon "to hear speakers and raise our voices in protest," organizers wrote in a message on Front Porch Forum. "Please join us! Signs welcome!"
"After the speakers, we will peacefully proceed to the Route 9 and Route 100 intersection to show our concerns and solidarity," they wrote.
This News item was submitted to The Commons.