Local activist groups will hold a rally called “Meowtucket” to protest Vance’s visit to the island. Here’s what to know.
Vice President JD Vance waves to the audience as President Donald Trump speaks at an event for the signing of the GENIUS Act, a bill that regulates stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency, in the East Room of the White House, Friday, July 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Nantucket on Tuesday, July 22, to headline a Republican National Committee fundraiser, drawing both deep-pocketed GOP donors and organized protests from local activist groups.
The fundraiser, set to take place at a private residence on the island, carries a steep price tag — $100,000 per couple for general attendance and $250,000 per couple for those joining the host committee, according to the Nantucket Current.
Vance’s presence has already sparked resistance from several community and activist organizations.
“We’re going to protest JD Vance and literally everything that the man and the administration stands for,” Amanda McGonigle, a Falmouth resident and local activist, told Boston.com.
What is the ‘Meowtucket’ protest?
McGonigle’s @catsonacouch Instagram account, which began in August 2024 as a “joke” to surpass Vance’s follower count as a then-senator, has since grown into an online activism community – 1 million followers strong.
“It’s turned into this incredible little community of people who get into good trouble for the sake of saving democracy and just giving a damn,” she said.
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McGonigle is organizing a rally called “Meowtucket” to protest Vance’s visit to the island. The goal of the protest is twofold, she said: to shine a light on the consequences of the Trump administration’s policies and to amplify local organizations supporting marginalized groups.
“There are organizations on the island that are deeply affected by this administration’s policies and funding cuts, and of course the immigrant population on the island remains unsettled,” McGonigle said.
The demonstration is being co-hosted by @CatsOnACouch, Indivisible Nantucket, Indivisible Upper Cape, Indivisible Outer Cape, Mass 50501, and MidCape Indivisible/Cape Cod Women for Change.
When is the ‘Meowtucket’ protest?
A rally is slated from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Children’s Beach, McGonigle said, adding that she expects protests to occur throughout the day.
In a creative move, McGonigle said she also distributed posters across the island to protest Vance’s arrival.
“I sent over 4,000 wanted posters with varying different crimes that JD Vance has committed, allegedly, with very meme-able pictures, and they are all over the island waiting for him to get there,” she said.
Vance visited Nantucket in 2022 for a fundraiser alongside Florida Senator Rick Scott, as well as Republican figures Ted Budd, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Herschel Walker.
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