Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11:20 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4.
[R]epublican presidential candidate Donald Trump is coming to Burlington on Thursday evening, and a lefty activist group has called on the Flynn Center for the Arts to cancel the event.
Trump has made racially charged remarks that pundits say play to the fears of poor and low-income whites. While the real estate mogul has many detractors in Vermont, his event has generated support from social media fans, and on Friday it appeared to be sold out. (As of Monday, however, the Trump campaign was still taking reservations for the 1,400 seat space in response to social media reports that protesters were placing reservations with the intent of not showing and leaving seats empty.)
The Vermont Workers’ Center circulated an online petition over the weekend, asking people to demand that the Flynn dump Trump.
Late Monday morning the center withdrew the petition.
In a statement, petition organizers said “the VWC stands opposed to hate groups and those who would divide our communities through racism, sexism, and xenophobia. For these reasons we’ve participated in recent demonstrations against the KKK, in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and in support of Syrian refugees.
“However, hate speech is more complicated, and after hearing a variety of feedback, the VWC has withdrawn a petition related to Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Burlington. We are encouraged by the tremendous outpouring of solidarity in response to his visit — see you in the streets!”
John Killacky, the executive director of the Burlington arts nonprofit, says the rental of the mainstage to Trump is not an endorsement of his candidacy. “Donald Trump is renting the Flynn, the Flynn is not presenting Donald Trump,” Killacky said.
“I would open [the space] to all candidates,” Killacky said. “There is a lot at stake in this election. Trump is an incendiary figure, but it’s important for people to make their own decisions.”
The Vermont Workers’ Center’s online petition generated a mixed reaction on Facebook.
Sen. Joe Benning, R-Caledonia, took umbrage. Benning says he is “in no way a supporter of Donald Trump” but he urged the Vermont Workers’ Center to take the petition down because, he wrote, “your behavior is no better than Donald Trump’s.”
“Toleration of another person’s perceived foibles is the very essence of what it means to live in a ‘free’ society,” Benning said. “Your petition seeks to circumvent that. Indeed, it is just as deplorable a bullying tactic and intimidation technique as your organization practiced during Governor Shumlin’s address to the legislature last January.” (Vermont Workers’ Center protesters interrupted Gov. Peter Shumlin’s inauguration speech.)
Vermont Republicans have sought to distance themselves from Trump. In a statement, the party said it had nothing to do with the event. Randy Brock, a former state auditor and state senator who is black, denounced Trump in a commentary as “a bully, a bigot and a buffoon.”
At least three rallies/protests of Trump’s event are scheduled by groups that spontaneously formed on social media.
A “silent” protest will be held at 5 p.m. on Main and St. Paul streets. A “Martin Luther King inspired” candlelight vigil titled “Love Trumps All” will be held along Main Street from Williston Road into the city of Burlington. And a third group will gather at City Hall for a rally of “Love and Unity (Let’s not let Trump’s hate divide our communities).”
Killacky says he welcomes the protests. “The right to gather — that’s what a democracy is,” he said. “What’s very important is that we agree to disagree in a civil society.”
Sue Minter, a Democratic candidate for governor, has called for a “constructive protest” — a day of service and giving to counter Trump’s “hateful rhetoric.”
“I’m calling on all of us to give back to the community on Thursday to show Trump that the hatred and intolerance he is spewing has no place in our state or our country,” Minter said. “It’s my sincere hope that when Trump gets back on his custom-outfitted, $100 million jet and taxis down our airport runway, he will know that he has been in Vermont, he will have a better understanding of how we lead our lives, and that Vermonters understand the real reasons why we live in our great state and nation.”
For reservations, click here to go to the Eventbrite link.
Killacky says the Secret Service, which is offering protection for all presidential candidates this election cycle, is requiring airport level screening of all attendees. This is also a “no sign” event. Signs for or against the candidate are not allowed, per the Secret Service protocol.
