Dozens of "No Kings" rallies planned across Minnesota Saturday
Thousands of protesters are scheduled to march this Saturday in downtown Minneapolis — and in dozens of other communities across Minnesota — as part of the "No Kings" movement opposing President Trump's policies.
Others will be doing the same across the country. It'll be the second nationally-organized rally after the first event in June, which was designed to be counter-programming to Mr. Trump's military parade celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary as well as his own 79th birthday.
Indivisible Twin Cities, which is organizing the event alongside Women's March Minnesota and the Minnesota AFL-CIO, says the march is a "mass activation in defiance of the Trump-Musk billionaire takeover and the far right assault on our freedoms and our communities."
"There are no kings in America, and we believe in affordable health care, good jobs, safe communities, democracy and the Constitution," Jennifer O'Brien with Indivisible Twin Cities told reporters at a news conference Friday ahead of the Saturday event.
Other "No Kings" events are planned in Duluth, St. Cloud, Owatonna and Alexandria, among other Minnesota communities. Nationwide, organizers say they expect millions of people to participate in the rallies.
The last "No Kings" rally in June came hours after the targeted political shooting attacks that killed former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and injured Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Law enforcement warned people not to attend out of an abundance of caution because Vance Boelter, the accused shooter who faces federal charges, had fliers connected to the protests inside his car. Still, thousands showed up.
Minneapolis Police in a statement said the department is partnering with other law enforcement agencies to ensure additional police resources are available throughout the weekend.
"Like other times when large crowds are anticipated, residents and visitors can expect a visible police presence throughout the weekend," said Sgt. Garrett Parten, the Minneapolis Police Department's public information officer. "Our goal is to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone attending events and enjoying the city."
In an email, a spokesperson for the Minnesota State Patrol said that the agency would be ready to help Minneapolis as needed.
Separately, thousands of volunteers with the Minnesota AFL-CIO, which is also behind the Minneapolis event, will work as "marshals" who are trained in de-escalation if tensions run high.
"When there's a picket line or some sort of demonstration—we started this program many, many years ago now—we kind of help out in those situations," Todd Dahlstrom, the organization and growth director with the labor organization
Dozens of people went through the 90-minute training and will be wearing yellow vests for people to identify them, he said.
"We're not looking for a confrontation at all. We're just regular working folks in Minnesota just trying to exercise our First Amendment rights," Dahlstrom said.