Organizers report more than 150 people joined the November 2 demonstration on Hill Road near Griffiss Business and Technology Park.
ROME, N.Y. Protesters holding large letters spelling “No Chance Vance” gathered on Hill Road on Monday morning, November 2, as Vice President JD Vance’s campaign visit brought national politics to Rome.
Indivisible Mohawk Valley said more than 150 people from Rome and surrounding communities took part. The attendance figure is the organizer’s estimate, not an independently verified count.
In a release issued after the demonstration, IMV described the protest as peaceful. Participants carried signs including “End MAGA Chaos,” “Just Disappear Vance” and “Don’t boo, vote!”
Residents explain why they came
The release included comments from participants in Rome, Clinton and Barneveld. Their remarks expressed opposition to Vance and the direction of the Trump administration.
“If Vance thinks he can just fly in here and tell the people of Rome who to vote for, he’s absolutely wrong,” said Regina Kekis, identified by organizers as a retired educator and NYSUT member from Rome.
“I’m here because our democracy is on the line. Vance is a Trump yes-man, and we don’t want him in Rome,” said Susan Ellenberg of Rome.
Organizers said demonstrators were concerned that national leadership and highly partisan messaging did not reflect working families’ priorities in the Mohawk Valley.
“I don’t believe what’s going on in this country. The people in power are evil. What they are doing to people in this country who are just trying to survive and live is evil,” said a participant identified in the release as Ashtyn, a first-time voter from Clinton.
“JD Vance, leave Rome now and take your MAGA corruption, immorality, and Anthony Constantino with you,” said Kelli Samson of Barneveld.
“I hope JD’s last-ditch effort is a profound failure, which would, in fact, be in line with the Presidency under which he serves,” said Jen Boulanger, a local author from Rome.
Those statements are the participants’ political opinions, quoted from IMV’s announcement.
Photos from the Rome protest
Select a photograph to view it at full size.
A campaign stop on the eve of the election
The protest coincided with a separately organized campaign event for Vance and Republican congressional candidate Anthony Constantino. In its October 29 announcement, Constantino’s campaign described the Skydome Hangar event as a get-out-the-vote rally ahead of the November 3 election.
The campaign’s stated aim was to make its closing case to upstate voters and encourage turnout for Republican candidates. That announcement provides the campaign’s purpose for the visit; it is not a response to the protesters’ remarks.
Indivisible Mohawk Valley is a local grassroots organization active in Oneida and Herkimer counties. Utica Phoenix’s earlier preview covered the planned demonstration. This follow-up reports the organizer’s account after the event.
Source: Indivisible Mohawk Valley’s November 2, 2026, press release, forwarded to Utica Phoenix by Michelle LaGuerre. Participant quotations and the turnout estimate are attributed to the organizer. Photographs supplied with the release are credited to Kevin Hoehn.
