50501 Vermont plans 40+ ‘No Kings' protests on Saturday
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – A nationwide protest movement will be holding more than 40 events in Vermont this weekend, including an American flag that will travel all the way north from Massachusetts to Swanton.
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50501 Vermont, the state's affiliate of the 50501 movement – short for '50 states, 50 protests, 1 day' – is planning gatherings across the state in conjunction with the military parade planned for the same day in Washington, D.C..
The group previously held a protest called Hands Off in April, and called for an 'Emergency Protest' in Burlington this past Tuesday which it said had attendance of more than 1,000 people, though the estimate by reporters with ABC22/FOX44 was only around 100.
June 14th is the nation's traditional Flag Day. It is also President Donald Trump's birthday. Those near U.S. Route 7 on Saturday may see plenty of American flags in conjunction with the group's 'Flag Relay for Democracy', in which an American flag will be driven all the way across the state from south to north. According to 50501, 'Vermonters will carry this flag to honor the promise of liberty and justice for all—the very ideals generations have fought to protect.'
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Those looking for a Saturday afternoon nap may want to reconsider, as the group plans several 'honk and wave' events as the flag makes its way north. Other events include a morning group hike on Mount Philo in Charlotte, and many local protest events.
The group's largest planned event is in Burlington, where speakers including Representative Becca Balint, Treasurer Mike Pieciak, activist Mohsen Mahdawi, and feminist Alison Bechdel will appear at Waterfront Park.
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Jennifer Wasiura, who is part of a Middlebury group affiliated with 50501, said, 'We refuse to be intimidated… We will bravely and peacefully stand together.'
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