Saturday No Kings rallies planned nationwide, in Vermont, including Waterbury
October 15, 2025 | By Lisa ScagliottiThis post was updated midday on Oct. 16 to note more than 50 events planned for Saturday.
An April demonstration against the Trump administration attracted hundreds to the Vermont State House. Photo by Gordon Miller
Demonstrations are planned across the nation on Saturday in the form of “No Kings” rallies to push back against actions of the Trump administration.
The organized resistance comes as the federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1 and National Guard troops have been deployed to Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, where federal agents have stepped up arrests of immigrants. President Donald Trump has also called for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to be jailed.
In Vermont, news reports last week revealed plans for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to add a dozen new staff to one of its Williston locations to expand its online surveillance operations. A demonstration against that effort was held at an ICE facility at Taft Corners in Williston on Sunday. The day before, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security building on Harvest Lane in Williston was vandalized with threatening spray-painted messages.
At his weekly press conference held in Waterbury last week, Gov. Phil Scott was critical of the federal government directing states’ National Guard units to U.S. cities.
“I don’t think our guard should be used against our own people. I don’t think the military should be used against our own people. In fact, it's unconstitutional. Unless, of course, there’s an insurrection, much like we saw January 6 [2021],” Scott said in answer to a reporter’s question about the deployments in other states.
“What I’m seeing, I just think it's unnecessary. It further divides and threatens people, and we need stability right now in this country. We don’t need more unrest.”
Asked about the president’s call to arrest the Illinois governor who refused to activate the Illinois National Guard, prompting the administration to send Texas troops to Illinois, Scott replied: “Words matter... There would be a tremendous pushback, obviously, if that were to happen. I would be on the forefront of that.”
Scott said he believes governors should determine the use of their National Guard units. “That’s what Gov. Pritzker is doing. He’s saying no. And so I just think it’s wrong on many, many different levels.”
As of Thursday, more than 50 No Kings events are scheduled for Saturday in Vermont, including in Waterbury, Waitsfield and Montpelier. Others are scattered across the state from Alburg and Richford to Burlington, Jericho and Shelburne, Bennington and Brattleboro, White River Junction and St. Johnsbury. The organization 50501 Vermont’s website is keeping track.
The Waterbury rally, titled “I Love America and Democracy No Kings in America,” is planned for 10-11 a.m. at the intersection of Main Street and Stowe Street. Organizers have called on local residents to make posters to join the peaceful demonstration against autocracy.
The event is “an opportunity for everyone in Waterbury to demonstrate that we value Love, Peace and Freedom that transcends political differences,” wrote Carol Baitz in a social media announcement of the demonstration. “Bring your posters, your voices and your joy to celebrate and affirm our First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech and Assembly.”
The rally is not intended to impact traffic. Participants will gather on the sidewalks at the intersection, Baitz said.
Waitsfield’s rally is scheduled for 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Main Street/Rt. 100; Montpelier’s rally is planned for noon-2 p.m. at the State House. A “Rolling Resistance” gathering of motorcyclists in Barre will ride to Montpelier, starting at 10:30 a.m. at Vermont Bicycle Shop on Summer Street. More information is online at nokings.org and at 50501Vermont.com.