The hot-button topics of abortion, immigration and race relations are fueling public action at three locations in the Twin Cities on Saturday.
Activism in the form of street protests has ramped up a notch or more since President Donald Trump began acting on numerous fiercely debated issues upon becoming president three weeks ago.
In St. Paul, two groups on opposite sides of the abortion debate intend to show up as early as 8:30 a.m. at Planned Parenthood headquarters, 671 Vandalia St., just off W. University Avenue.
The spirited showdown will pit "I Stand with Planned Parenthood" vs. the "National Defund PP Rally." Organizers on each side say in Facebook posts that they are anticipating thousands of participants.
Outside Minneapolis City Hall about noon, a "Caravan of Love" march is scheduled, with its mission to celebrate refugees and immigrants as Trump pursues limiting people from entering the United States from several nations with majority Muslim populations, citing national security concerns.
Organizers say in a Facebook announcement that the marchers will go from City Hall to the West Bank of the University of Minnesota, where they will "write our love notes and build a bridge of love" on the Washington Avenue pedestrian bridge.
To the north in Falcon Heights, the treatment of minorities by law enforcement is the underlying issue for a 2 p.m. memorial celebration for Philando Castile, a black man fatally shot by police last summer.
The location of the event is Larpenteur Avenue and Fry Street, just west of Snelling Avenue. That is where Castile was pulled over and fatally shot by police officer Jeronimo Yanez, who is charged with manslaughter and other counts.
