May Day Rally, 2025 in Williston, Vermont organized by Green Mountain Democratic Socialists of America one of 12 in the state
We showed up to listen and march to the ICE Law Enforcement Support Center. Seniors carried signs about social security, flaming images of President Trump, and due process. Palestinian flags waved. Folk singers warmed us up. The Nonviolent Medicaid Army handed out invitations to events featuring soup and healthcare stories. We received playbills printed with the chants for the marching.
Workers united will never be defeated.
Show me what democracy looks look
This is what democracy looks like.
Handbills from the activists for migrant justice and labor rights:
From the fight for the eight-hour day to the Civil Rights Revolution…
the decisive factor that turns the impossible into the inevitable.
We walked for eight dairy farm workers, ages 22 to 41, from the Pleasant Valley Farm in Berkshire, Vermont. A farm whose owners are relatives of Elle St. Pierre, the Olympic 3,000 meter runner that all of Vermont cheered for – including Senator Bernie Sanders (who ran the mile in high school and college) and called Elle “Vermont’s Proud Dairy Farmer.” These men have names – Jesus, Juan, Luis, Urillas, Diblaim, Adiran, Jose, and Dani. In Vermont dairy farming is the primary source of agricultural income. We like our cheddar white. We mourn the ongoing loss of family dairy farms.
At the head of the march, a drumming band. Banners and signs. Old folks with walkers and canes. Babies in strollers. We stood outside the ICE center where three white cars with Homeland signs parked. Three stout officers stood in the driveway. We chanted as if walking gave us new breath. As if we could blow the house down.
Our prayer: Blessed be the cheesemakers.
