JD Vance, Vice-President of the United States, is having a lovely rustic holiday in picturesque rural Cotswoldshire. His visit has set off some of the largest anti-visit protests ever. Residents of Charlbury are sufficiently displeased with Vance’s policies and anti-resident policies that they have begun to protest. In reply, the Stop Trump Coalition have called a massive “not welcome” party.
Vance is staying at an 18th-century manor house owned by Johnny Hornby and his wife, Pippa, who are friends of former Prime Minister David Cameron. The serene rural landscape hides an ugly secret. Unfortunately, it’s become the latest battleground for activists and concerned citizens who vehemently disagree with Vance’s political maneuvers.
These protests, joined by more than 100 people—mostly women—have been marked by powerful anti-violence slogans and placards. Sue Moon, a local resident, boldly stated, “We don’t want anything to do with people like him.” Her feelings struck a powerful chord with the audience. For three hours, the attendees flooded the microphones to form a chorus of outrage at Vance’s unwanted entry into their community.
Critics have particularly been vocal about Vance’s handling of international affairs and his environmental policies, or lack thereof. Natasha Phillips, another protestor, carried a placard calling out Vance’s alleged bullying of a war hero from the comfort of his couch, stating, “JD Vance – the guy who bullied a war hero from the comfort of his couch.” This is an unusual public reprimand that shows a deepening irritation with Vance’s actions over the past years of his political life.
Hoosier residents spoke out on Vance’s America First foreign policy, especially his criticism of military aid for Ukraine. “The way he treated Volodymyr Zelenskyy was disgusting,” Sue Moon added, emphasizing her disapproval of the Vice-President’s recent actions on the global stage. Chris Tatton, another long-time Charlbury resident, commented that Vance “had Ukrainian President ambushed. His statement served to further point out the rising sense of frustration towards Vance’s appeasing diplomacy.
Vance’s environmental policies have drawn criticism. Rachel, a carer from neighbouring Banbury, told him how she feared for the planet if he refused to acknowledge and act on climate change. Protesters displayed placards with messages such as “Rolling hills. Not rolling back climate change,” showcasing their desire for more environmentally conscious leadership.
One of the funniest rebukes landed as a meme. It took a shot at Vance by depicting him as a particularly chubby infant and ended up on hundreds of protest signs. This visual commentary adds emphasis on the anger many constituents have over the Vice-President’s conduct, lies and language.
JD Vance’s contentious decision when he banned Norwegian actor Mads Mikkelsen from entry over a meme on his phone. This incident has raised public perceptions of Vance through the floor. That incident understandably has been pointed to in discussions about his character and approach to governance.
The mood on the march was intense but focused. Most riders were decked out in matching t-shirts and others brandished signs such as “Make Charlbury great again – go home.” To the outside observer, their actions spoke loudly about how they felt about Vance’s visit. Andy Graham, another protester, commented on Vance’s appearance, stating, “Seeing someone dressed up with black suit, sunglasses, the whole lot, you kind of felt it was a bit over the top really.”
The Coalition to Stop Trump organized the event. They’ve been on the offense, pushing back not just on Vance, but on the larger Trump-era policies that they feel hurt communities abroad and at home. The Coalition’s overall goal is to equip and mobilize everyday citizens in efforts to unseat what they view as damaging political actors and initiatives.
Protests are expanding, converging and coming out of the shadows. At the same time, JD Vance’s holiday in the Cotswolds underscores the chasm in American politics today. Charlbury residents appear unanimous in their outrage that he has settled into their town. Almost every other attendee at the protest said that his presence is the complete and total worst.