Some of the 100-plus sign-makers do their thing at Bristol’s Holley Hall on Sunday as they prepare for the April 5 “Hands Off!” rallies that aim to send a message opposing President Trump’s defunding of many federal programs that affect life here in Addison County.
Photo by Jim Mendell

BRISTOL — More than 100 citizens gathered at Holley Hall in Bristol on March 30 to make signs for Hands Off! demonstrations scheduled to place at 15 locations in Vermont and over 900 across the country on April 5. Hands Off! is a national day of action protesting the Trump administration’s defunding of programs and services, illegal deportations and invasion of privacy.

Children, parents and elders on Sunday created signs opposing the administration — “Hands Off Medicare!” “Hands Off Libraries!” “Stop Being Mean.” Others articulated hopeful messages in support of democracy. Two children collaborated to craft “We rise by lifting others.”

There was an unmistakable spirit of community generated by so many people of diverse ages.

The event included additional opportunities for action. Event organizers provided information for taking specific, timely action. Voters were encouraged to contact Vermont members of Congress regarding SignalGate (the incident in which top Trump security officials used an unsecure messaging app to share information about an upcoming military strike) and funding for public media. On the local level, citizens reached out to Addison County senators and representatives in support of H.169, the Housing Access of Immigrant Families Bill and in opposition to aspects of H.454, the Education Bill that could eliminate a town’s ability to vote on the closure of their community school.

Jo LaFontaine, left, and Nanny-Co Lathrop put their thoughts into words on posters during a sign-making workshop on Sunday at Holley Hall in Bristol. The posters are earmarked for one of Saturday’s “Hands Off!” rallies, which will be held at 900 spots around the country.
Photo by Jim Mendell

Around 150 national and regional organizations including Indivisible, 50501 and MoveOn are sponsoring the April 5 Hands Off! protests. Demonstrations are planned in every state with a large rally scheduled for Washington, D.C. For more information, visit handsoff2025.com.

Organizers hope to draw a huge group to Montpelier for a rally, noon-3 p.m., at the Vermont Statehouse. In addition to the state capital, there will be demonstrations in Brandon (noon at Central Park) and Vergennes (noon at City Park).

The Holley Hall event was organized by Northeast Addison County Indivisible. It’s a local group affiliated with Indivisible National, a grassroots movement of thousands of local Indivisible assemblies with “a vision of a real democracy — of, by, and for the people.” This chapter has over 300 members mostly from Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton, New Haven and Starksboro and welcomes members from neighboring communities. For more information, email [email protected].

Here is a link to information about parking in Montpelier for April 5.

Editor’s note: This story was provided by Sarah Stott.