MONTPELIER – This time there were no traffic jams and only pink pussy hats in the crowd. Again, Vermont Women’s Rally The event, which drew hundreds of people to the Statehouse lawn on Saturday morning, shared the same themes and motivations. 2017 event This attracted a record crowd estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000 to the same venue.

The phrase “We will not go back” was frequently repeated both in speeches and on handmade banners. However, it did not escape the crowd that in the nearly eight years since the previous rally, the movement had faced a major defeat with the decision of the US Supreme Court. Roe v. Wade case overturned.

The 90-minute event was billed as an event meant to showcase the power of women to fight discrimination and support women’s rights, but the main catalyst of the meeting, as in 2017, was arguably former President Donald Trump — although his name is rarely mentioned.

As the clock ticked down on Tuesday’s election, the rally was attended by Vermonters of different generations, from toddlers to older women’s rights activists. Among them was Madeleine Kunin, 91, who kicked off the speeches nearly 40 years after she was elected as Vermont’s first and only female governor.

“Women will decide the outcome of this election,” Kunin said to loud applause, “and we will be strongly present throughout the country.” Like other speakers, Kunin called it the “most important election” in a lifetime.

The musicians, a poet and a college student took turns at the podium, along with U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., a representative for U.S. Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., and former state Rep. Kiah Morris. But it was the surprise late arrival of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who brought the loudest cheers, again reminiscent of the 2017 rally (including the surprise late arrival). Sanders didn’t hesitate to call out Trump by name multiple times, taking advantage of the stump speech he’s given across the country on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris in recent weeks to close out the rally’s speeches.

Saturday’s event was planned to coincide with the national event. Women’s March in Washington, D.C., and at other state women’s rallies across the country.