No Kings rally in Chester attracts large, peaceful crowd to protest Trump policies
Cynthia Prairie | Jun 16, 2025 | Comments 3
Saturday’s crowd for the No Kings rally extended from the west end of the Chester Green to wrap around the tip of the east end. Click any image to launch the extensive photo gallery. Photo by Claudio Veliz.
By Cynthia Prairie
©2025 Telegraph Publishing LLC
Former state Sen. Dick McCormack made the trek down from Bethel to speak to the crowd at Chester’s No Kings rally. All images by Cynthia Prairie unless otherwise noted.
The Chester No Kings rally was just one of 40 across Vermont and 2,000 nationwide on Saturday, which, according to early estimates, drew a total estimated 5 million to 11.5 million people. Nationwide, the event was organized by an array of movements including 50501, Indivisible, the American Federation of Teachers and Communications Workers of America.
Longtime Ludlow business owner and Chester resident Greg Hart flashes the peace sign while donning a ‘TACO’ headband. TACO stands for Trump Always Chickens Out.
This would be the third protest in three months against the Trump administration staged on the Chester Green and by far the largest, with a headcount just shy of 600 participants, organizers said. It was also the most festive: a variety of music chosen by Evan Parks, a Chester resident DJ with WOOL Radio, who emceed the event, and American flags of all sizes on full display, reminding everyone that this day, June 14, was also Flag Day to celebrate the Stars and Stripes.
Passing cars offered continuing beeps and honks of support, drawing cheers from the crowds on both sides of Main Street.
Former state Sen. Dick McCormack of Bethel, who declared that the size of the crowd in this town of 3,000, “was inspiring,” told them that “We need to make sure that we don’t normalize Trumpism.” He then added, as he clutched a small American flag in his hands, “I want my flag back.”
It was a family affair for Elizabeth Lenthall of Los Angeles, and Pat Riley, Bruce Lenthall and Calista Cleary all of Philadelphia, who met in Ludlow for a reunion but didn’t want to miss the No Kings rally.
The antique shop Matilda and Three Bears rolled out two old-style metal coolers to offer free chilled bottled water to participants as others gave away free hand-held American flags and “TACO” headdresses, a nod to the Wall Street acronym that means “Trump Always Chickens Out.”
The event drew a large contingent of Chester residents as well as participants from Proctorsville, Grafton, Andover, Ludlow, Weathersfield, Windham, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
The Philly-L.A. contingent was staying in Ludlow for a family reunion and included family matriarch Pat Riley, son Bruce Lenthall and Calista Cleary all of Philly and Elizabeth Lenthall of L.A. Riley said that when they realized their Ludlow reunion would occur on No Kings Day, they had to find a local venue to attend, so Chester was their choice.
Marcey Tucker of Ludlow holds her sign and that of her husband Bill’s.
Marcey and Bill Tucker drove down from Ludlow to protest. Bill Tucker said, “Every day, there are issues that have me concerned. His treatment of a lot of the lower income people has me concerned.” Marcey Tucker added, “A country should be known by how it treats its poorest citizens.”
Toward the end of the event, which lasted a firm 90 minutes, state Rep. Tom Charlton arrived on the Green to talk with people, many of whom are his constituents. “The thing that worries me in both sides is the fear and the anger,” he told The Telegraph.” The Republican also addressed one of the major concerns of not just Democrats and Progressives, but increasingly of Republicans: the fate of our immigrant communities, some of whom have loyal supporters even though they may be in the United States illegally. “The tax contribution of immigrants is significant,” he said, adding that, “I’d like to see the process to become a citizen shortened.”
Melissa Stacy of Proctorsville says she personally knows the injustice of ICE arrests.
That issue has played out for Melissa Stacy, who drove from Proctorsville to attend the event. She said the aunt of a friend of her daughter was picked up by ICE two weeks ago following a traffic stop in Massachusetts. The aunt, she said, had been in the U.S. for 20 years, working and paying taxes. “We can’t be quiet, we can’t be quiet.” Stacy said she is “tired of watching the country that we love and our Constitution get trampled on.”
Disruptions to Saturday’s event were few. One truck traveling west on Main let loose with a shot of “rolling coal” at the crowd and one lone protester, a fixture at all the Chester rallies, weaved through the crowds with an oversized Trump flag, but was ignored by most.
Soon after the rally was over, however, Chester Police issued an alert that it was looking for photos and videos referencing three “loud” trucks bearing flags that drove through the event and “possibly knocked a pedestrian over.”
That pedestrian, who asked to be called MG for fear of her safety, told The Telegraph on Sunday that she wasn’t knocked over. MG, who was carrying a sign in her left hand and an umbrella in her right, said she was in a small group near on the north side of the street when decided to cross to the Green “to grab cookies and water, which I heard were available.”
George Mora of Londonderry seems to be referencing King George, who lost the colonies in the American Revolution.
Before entering the crosswalk, MG said she “looked down the road, then angled out into the crosswalk.” She was in the middle of the road when a black truck crossed closely in front of her, followed four seconds later by a white truck, which ran over her umbrella. She had brought the umbrella in case it rained but also to lean on since she has “an intermittent ankle issue” caused by too much standing.
One eyewitness, who also requested anonymity our of fear, confirmed on Sunday MG’s account. “There were multiple announcements for people to stay in the crosswalk,” the eyewitness said. “She was halfway through the crosswalk when the truck came through and skimmed right past her. The tennis ball was ripped off by the truck.” The eyewitness believes it was the second truck that clipped the woman because people nearby then filtered into the crosswalk to stop the third truck.
Their accounts appear to be confirmed by a video provided to The Telegraph.
MG said it appears that it was “the intention of those three trucks to injure and provoke. … It doesn’t matter who I am and what I was doing. They should have stopped.” According to Vermont law, drivers are required to yield the right of way to a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk.
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Mr. Murray recounts serving under multiple presidents, something he should be proud of and we should respect, but he omits the fact that the current president mocked war heroes and prisoners of war, called those who fought “suckers and losers” and posed for a photo-op, smiling with a thumbs up on the hallowed ground of Arlington National Cemetery. The US Army has indeed fought to protect our rights and liberties, that is why millions of Americans are standing up to a president who admitted he wants to take those rights and liberties away. True patriotism is not lip service to a flag, it is respecting and standing up for the very essence of our democracy, human rights, and yes, dissent.
“the lone protester” was far from ignored… 😂 I had quite the parade behind me for some time but I can say for the most part I was very well greeted and had no issues. They were a few small exceptions but they were very small.
The following are my personal thoughts, shaped by my experience as a Vermonter, a Veteran, and someone who cares deeply about the future of our state. I share them to offer a perspective that I believe deserves to be heard. I welcome differing opinions and thoughtful discussion.
This past Saturday’s No Kings rallies drew large numbers of passionate Vermonters and even out-of-staters. To those who participated peacefully, thank you for exercising your First Amendment right to assemble—a freedom I and many others have sworn to protect. That said, there’s another perspective—shared by many across our state—that deserves to be heard.
Vermont Republicans are too often mischaracterized, but the truth is simple: we are parents, small business owners, veterans, farmers, and neighbors. We care deeply about this state and this country. And we’re focused on solving real problems—problems that didn’t arrive overnight. For well more than a century, Republicans helped shape Vermont’s prosperity and civic strength—and after years of policy failure under one-party rule in Montpelier, momentum is shifting back toward common-sense, practical, and fiscally responsible Republican values.
Vermont is in crisis. We have the highest increase in homelessness in the nation. Illegal drugs and crime are running rampant in our communities, leaving broken families in their wake. Property taxes and education costs continue to soar. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing. Affordable housing is out of reach. These are the issues Vermonters face every day—not slogans or political theater, but real-life concerns. And many have been worsened by well-intentioned but misguided legislation passed without balance or restraint.
Republicans believe in the rule of law, public safety, legal immigration, and smaller, more accountable government. We value fiscal responsibility, local control, and community—not chaos. And we know that while presidents come and go, Vermont values endure. Our Republican tradition here has always been moderate, inclusive, and grounded in common sense.
I also want to share a personal disappointment. The date of these rallies—June 14th—was not just any Saturday. It marked the 250th birthday of the United States Army and Flag Day, a moment when Americans should have united to honor our flag and the institution that helped build and preserve our republic. We don’t have kings in this country, and we wouldn’t even have a country if it weren’t for the U.S. Army.
As someone who retired from the Army after a lifetime of military service, I was deeply saddened to see such a historic day overshadowed. Millions of service members, veterans, retirees, and our fallen brothers and sisters deserved better respect and recognition. Nearly 20 million Americans have worn the uniform and served under the American flag. This milestone and this day were not about politics—they were about honor and history.
This raises a hard but important question: Is the hostility toward one president—however controversial—so great that it warranted diminishing Flag Day and the Army’s 250th birthday? I served in uniform under every single president from Ronald Reagan to Joe Biden—including Donald Trump. I respected them all as my Commander in Chief. You don’t have to agree with any one president’s policies or personality to understand that hatred toward the office—or those who support its occupant—can become toxic. What troubles me most is how that anger is increasingly directed not just at leaders, but at everyday citizens who identify as Republicans. How fair is it for a party that claims to stand for tolerance and anti-bullying to shame others simply for thinking differently?
We can disagree—that’s the strength of our nation. But when anger overshadows respect, something important is lost. The harsh rhetoric and personal attacks directed at one man or one party do not reflect the Vermont I grew up in—where political disagreement could still be met with civility and mutual concern for our shared future.
So yes, rally if you feel moved to. Exercise your freedom of speech. But also remember those who fought to protect these sacred rights under the flag of our great nation. Vermonters are watching. We don’t want more division—we want solutions. We want a government that works, a state that functions, and a future that our children can afford to stay in. It’s time to restore what’s been lost in Vermont.
It’s time to stop throwing stones—and start cleaning up our own backyard. The Republican Party welcomes all Vermonters who want to work together to preserve and improve our state for the next generation.
Let’s set aside the anger, refocus on the real challenges facing our state, and come together to restore the Vermont we know and love.