To the editor: A letter to the Chester Select Board on how two rallies were organized for the Green

An open letter to the Chester Select Board:

What follows are responses to the incomplete and misinformed comments presented at the May 7, 2025, Select Board meeting.

Comments made at the meeting implied that the organizers and attendees at the April 5 and May 1 rallies on the Chester Green were not concerned about the welfare of local businesses and that continued protest rallies would cause severe harm to the town of Chester. There were also accusations of negative, frightening behaviors during the event. None of these assertions is based in reality.

On March 15, national organizations sent email invitations to participate in the Hands Off! demonstration. I discussed the possibility of holding a Saturday, April 5 rally on the Chester Green with friends and then with Town Manager Julie Hance.

Julie explained that no permit was required and no other events would conflict with a rally from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 5. I estimated we might have 50 to 75 participants to which Julie suggested parking locations and that we might gather on the Information Booth side of the street to minimize interference with local businesses.

On March 17, I officially registered Chester Hands Off! on the mobilize.com website. Following Julie’s suggestion, I shared our plans with Chester’s Police chief and Ambulance Service head. Both responded that there would be coverage scheduled during that day.

Soon thereafter the Chester Town Democratic Committee decided to participate in the rally. The issue of parking near the Green area during the event arose and we agreed that communications to participants should suggest that they park in the Cobleigh Field lot or on-street but not near the Green. We also agreed to encourage participants to patronize the cafés and businesses during the event.

We publicized the Hands Off! rally with letters to the editor in The Chester Telegraph, Vermont Journal and Front Porch Forum and posted flyers around the town and on several Chester-related Facebook pages.

Surprisingly, in the days preceding April 5, registrations increased, reaching 170. We sent this information to the Police chief and Emergency Services director, while recognizing that these numbers would force us to use both sides of Main Street.

Zoom sessions teaching best safety practices and de-escalation tools and techniques were scheduled. Four volunteers were designated to wear yellow vests and act as safety coordinators during the event.

Due to the forecasted heavy rain, we set up our public address system in the gazebo on the Green. Surprisingly 450+ participants showed up at the event. Neutral observers including Chester’s Police chief — who spent the morning at the rally — agreed that it was peaceful, with no need of support by the police or emergency services.

Several organizers walked the parking area multiple times during the two hours and observed empty spaces at all times.

The speakers included two of our three Windsor County senators and several Chester residents. Event master of ceremonies, Evan Parks repeatedly reminded people not to park by the Green, to cross at crosswalks, and keep out of the road.

The only excitement I observed during the two-hour rally was when Mr. Keller drove his service truck with a large Trump flag back-and-forth every 10 minutes, honking all the way. Some people attempted to interfere with his passage. I immediately reprimanded them and reminded them not to engage and to stay behind the white line. Mr. Keller was not bothered again.

The rain began around 11:30 a.m. and the rally broke up at noon. There was very little litter to pick up and demonstrators were gone by 12:20 p.m. Any interference with business took place only from 10 a.m. to noon.

Nationwide there were over 1,300 Hands Off! events in all 50 states and several in foreign countries. Reports on the total number of participants in Hands Off ranged between 600,000 and 3 million. I have seen no reports of any violence, arrests or property damage associated with Hands Off!

We later learned that several businesses were not aware of the event scheduled and that one
that had actually closed down during the event. One of our organizers met personally with several of the concerned business owners, apologized and assured them that we would inform them well in advance of any future rallies and redouble our efforts regarding parking for businesses. The businesspeople expressed gratitude for the apologies and the promise to meet with them before other events.

Thus, before Chester’s May 1 May Day Strong day of support for workers, workers working families and unions, those who organized the event in Chester met with town officials and business people, planned for parking (including a sign that read “Parking for Shoppers Only Please”), and chose 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday afternoon for the event to avoid interfering with business activities.

The organizers again publicized the coming event on news outlets and flyers.

Only 275 people joined the demonstration, with speakers who highlighted the role of workers in the history of America. Mr. Keller drove back and forth with this Trump truck honking, and several dozen pro-Trump protesters chanted and waved their signs just to the west on Rt. 11. May Day Strong concluded promptly at 6 p.m. and the Green was quiet and dappled in sunlight by 6:30.

Any protests generated by the CTDC in Chester will certainly not cast a shadow over the town. If anything, they make it clear that many active and engaged residents of Chester and other demonstrators care deeply about the well-being of the United States, Vermont and the town of Chester.

Sincerely,
Steve Dock
for the CTDC Communication Committee