Upset that Minnesota legislators did not pass any new gun control legislation this year, about 125 people rallied in an Excelsior park on a chilly Saturday afternoon, vowing to support only candidates who will vote for more restrictions on gun ownership and urging others to do the same.
Many who attended the rally, sponsored by Protect Minnesota, were high school students who talked about being shaken by recent shootings and energized by the nationwide youth push for more gun restrictions. Their gathering was the latest of many held in Minnesota this year, both by advocates for more gun control and those who say that restricting gun ownership is a violation of personal freedoms and would do nothing to curtail gun violence.
Protect Minnesota stresses in its literature: "We are not anti-gun; we are anti-gun violence."
"There needs to be legislation to keep guns like the AR-15 out of the civilian market," said Daisy Forester, 15, a student at Southwest High School in Minneapolis.
Playing the guitar, she sang a song that included the refrain, "We're sick and tired of your B.S., we're sick of you playing the games, we're sick of you firing the bullets, us kids are going to make a change."
"People need to speak up," said Braden Johnson, 17, a student at Chanhassen High School and co-chair of Students Protect Minnesota, an offshoot of Protect Minnesota. "I'd like to see universal background checks."
Sydney Lewis, 16, of Eden Prairie High School, another co-chair of Students Protect Minnesota, drew cheers when she said, "I shouldn't be afraid to go to school." She urged people to vote for politicians who will "keep us safe."
Also speaking was state Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, DFL-Eden Prairie, a retired high school teacher. "I continue to be sick and tired of our young dying in the prime of our lives," he said. "The youth are again waking us adults out of our slumber.
![Supporters of gun control regulations gathered at The Winds of Change: Westside Rally Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in the Commons Park in Excelsior, MN. Here, Indi Mohamed, 13, a Clara Barton Open School student, front, left to right, and Allison Rubin danced to the song "Stand by Me," during the event.] DAVID JOLES ï david.joles@startribune.com The Winds of Change: Westside Rally Against Gun Violence will be 1-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, in the Commons Park on Lake Street in Excelsior. The rally](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XJWC5YVEA4KFOIUAMJFN5P6IW4.jpg?&w=1080)
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djoles@startribune.com As boaters flock to Minnesota lakes and rivers this holiday weekend for the unofficial kick-off to the boating season, they'll face more inspections in and out of the water as local cities and counties ramp up their work to stop the spread of invasive species. Across the metro, more boat accesses will be staffed by watercraft inspectors thanks to $10 million funneled to county government programs this year, up from $4.5 million the state allocated last year. ORG XMIT: MIN1505222156290209 ORG XMIT: MIN1506021218440580](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/34QSKO44B2XKVNUZCO5SLJQSLY.jpg?&w=80&ar=1:1&fit=crop)
