In wake of shootings, State Patrol asking the public not to attend ‘No Kings Day’ rallies in Minnesota

The State Patrol asked the public not to attend scheduled protests Saturday against the Trump administration, “out of an abundance of caution” following the shootings of two Democratic lawmakers.

Rep. Melissa Hortman, a former House speaker, was shot and killed along with her husband early Saturday in what Gov. Tim Walz said appeared to be a targeted act of political violence.

Dozens of protests had been planned Saturday across Minnesota, part of a nationwide demonstration against the Trump administration. The “No Kings Day” demonstrations were to coincide with President Donald Trump’s planned military parade for the Army’s 250th anniversary, which also falls on the president’s birthday and Flag Day.

In Minnesota, four progressive groups were largely responsible for organizing local demonstrations: Indivisible Twin Cities, Minnesota 50501, Women’s March Minnesota and the Minnesota AFL-CIO.

The 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. event St. Paul was to include a march from St. Paul College to the State Capitol. Thousands were expected to attend that event alone, according to Heather Friedli, an organizer with Minnesota 50501, and Lisa Erbes, an organizer with Indivisible Twin Cities.

Around 50 rallies were expected in cities across Minnesota, including Duluth, Rochester and St. Cloud.

Trump hasn’t said much about the protests, but on Tuesday said that “for those people who want to protest, they’re going to be met with very big force.”

It’s unclear whether Trump was referring to protesters at the parade in Washington or at demonstrations throughout the U.S.

Friedli said event organizers had trained hundreds of volunteers, including crowd de-escalators and medics, to work at the event in St. Paul.

“So far, all of our protests have been safe and they’ve been nonviolent and peaceful, and that’s what we anticipate for this weekend as well,” she said.

Information about the protests has circulated on social media throughout the week, as well as at other local demonstrations.

Laurie Bangs participated in another anti-Trump protest on Wednesday.