Angry protest launched in Cotswolds over JD Vance's visit

A group of around 50 protesters assembled in the Cotswolds, furious about US Vice President JD Vance's visit and declaring him 'not welcome' in the area. Security surrounding the picturesque hamlet of Dean has been intensified, with residents previously likening his holiday to the "Men in Black" - as roads, footpaths, and village lanes remain completely cordoned off.

With the entire village under lockdown, only local inhabitants have been permitted entry and exit, whilst dog walkers face diversions and vehicles undergo security searches. However, this afternoon (Tuesday), approximately 50 individuals gathered for a demonstration that was relocated from its original planned venue to a park in nearby Charlbury opposite the Co-op. Numerous protesters brandished signs, banners and placards - several featuring the notorious JD Vance meme.

Fury over the Vance visit stemmed from various sources, with people arguing he shouldn't be present due to his criticism of the UK and his stance on women and Palestine.

Reference was also made to his handling of Ukraine's president Zelensky in the Oval Office, with one banner declaring: "JD Vance, the guy who bullied a war hero from the comfort of his couch." Another banner proclaimed: "Cotswold, childless cat ladies say 'go home".

The predominantly elderly gathering comprised a mix of locals and others who had journeyed from more distant locations. Some revealed it was their inaugural protest experience.

Amongst them was Phil Ball, in his 50s, a cameraman who resides three miles from the location. He crafted a 'Trump head' during the former president's initial term and brought it along to the demonstration.

He explained: "It was made for the last time he was president. It has been sitting in my wardrobe so I brought it today. Extreme right wing is taking over and I had to say something, I had to put my opinion forward.

"I object to him and his government and what he stands for politically. I object to the fact that he had arrived here on holiday, and the amount of police that I have seen facilitating his holiday is extraordinarily. So many police cars running around.

"We know that it's just not a holiday. If you are on holiday, you don't go to the home of the foreign secretary. He shouldn't be making under the table political decisions.

"You can see the way he seems to be. Such a man baby, and so emotionally fragile that if he is annoyed he is making decisions with global implications, it seems on a whim. That's quite worrying."

He revealed he would be "enraged" if he happened to encounter Vance and added: "I'd be enraged by the fact that I was in the same postcode district." Also present at the protest was Sue Moon, 54, a therapist from Chipping Norton.

She declared: "The Cotswolds is the home of ordinary people who are not comfortable with JD Vance coming here. He's a power hungry hypocrite and I'm not sure he has any principles. What is happening in America regarding reproductive rights is appalling.

"It's also very hard to welcome somebody who said that Britain is a random country. I am not sure what is the purpose of his visit, and on a local level it has caused a lot of disruption and roads on our area have been closed."

Some demonstrators have been chanting "Vance Vance Vance - out out out" whilst others have been shouting "JD Vance - shame on you."

Amongst the other placards were "Make America moral again" and "Trump/Vance wrong for USA, wrong for us, wrong for the world."

All entrances to the village of Dean - two roads and three public footpaths - remain sealed off, with a substantial police and US Secret Service presence positioned at a large marquee.

Only residents of the hamlet are permitted in and out, dog walkers are redirected, and those entering are subject to car searches by security. Also attending the demonstration nearby was Zoe Gardener, 37, from London, who is part of Stop Trump coalition.

She added: "We have a big mailing list of people who hate Trump and JD Vance. When we heard JD Vance was coming into the Cotswolds we had people asking if we were going to bring a protest to us. We basically organised a space for local people to come here to express their feeling and feel heard against him visiting the local area .

"It's embarrassing that a man who has directly insulted the UK and British people who fought in disastrous American wars is here. He has also been undermining free speech both here and in his country and has been trying to humiliate our allies like Zelensky in the Oval Office.

"He is an entirely despicable man. To come here after he insulted our country, and then to be shown this disgusting sort of fake bro romance with David Lammy, and we are supposed to buy the idea that they are good friends now.

"This isn't a family holiday, this is a political visit. The Cotswolds have a reputation for having a small set of conservative representation, but people here are still angry. People are horrified. People hate him."

Boaty Jym, 62, a climate activist living nearby, stated: "We don't like JD Vance and we think he should be deported. He shouldn't be allowed in the country.

"He and his government are facilitating the war in Gaza and exterminating millions of Palestinians. He should have been blocked up at immigration. Just like he does to people. He should have been put in a cell and put on the first plane home."

Another member of the group, Adriana, an artist in her 60s and an American citizen, expressed her views. She said: "I am an American citizen and have lived in this country for 40 years.

"I am absolutely disgusted by the Trump administration and I am even more disgusted that our UK government is putting on lavish entertainment for them at tax payers expense. There is no official figure for what this will cost the tax payers. it's probably 10million for his visit.

"Millions of people are being affected by his policies. His stands on abortion and women's rights is pretty upsetting. Why did he come here? He has insulted the UK numerous times. He called us a random country. What is he doing in the middle of our countryside? It's not right that he is on vacation here."

Rachel, a 73-year-old climate defender from Banbury, stated: "They (Trump and JD Vance) are guilty of disinformation about the war in Gaza, and they are not recognising the genocide that is happening there. They are too much behind. JD Vance should have been sent home."

Jake Atkinson, 29, a representative from Stop Trump, voiced: "The people in the UK do not want JD Vance to be here. We want to show that he does not share our values. He should not be here..."

Several supporters beeped their horns in support of the group, and the protest passed peacefully in around an hour.