Residents of Vero Beach and the surrounding Treasure Coast region joined a nationwide wave of civic demonstrations on January 20, 2026, participating in the “Free America Walkout.” At 2 p.m., local citizens stepped away from their workplaces, schools, and daily commerce to gather in public spaces, signaling their solidarity with a national movement organized by the Women’s March.
In Vero Beach, the demonstration centered on the Merrill P. Barber Bridge, where participants gathered to voice their dissent. The event was not isolated to Indian River County; neighbors to the south in Stuart also participated, with crowds assembling on the Roosevelt Bridge.
The walkouts were organized as a direct protest against the current political landscape, specifically targeting what organizers described as President Donald Trump’s “second regime.” The events were designed to be a visible refusal to cooperate with the administration’s policies.
“A free America begins the moment we refuse to cooperate. This is a protest and a promise.”
According to data released by the event organizers, the scope of the protest was extensive. Reports indicate that approximately 48,664 attendees participated in 1,285 separate events across the United States. While the January 20 rally was a primary day of action, the movement has signaled that this is part of an ongoing series of demonstrations, with additional walkouts scheduled in various states through early March.
