Readers Write: ‘No Kings’ protests

Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here.

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I am an 83-year-old person who was labeled an enemy-alien at age two months. My family has been in this country since the 1800s. We were interned for four years by my government during World War II.

That being said, I love my country and will protest as long as I am able to walk, against those who want to abandon our Constitution and bring our country to ruin. We cannot ignore this looming disaster, and time is of the essence. Too much complacency and inactivity will only bring a larger problem to be dealt with.

Sachi Tanaka Watson, Plymouth

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As an old-time Republican I was proud to attend Saturday’s “No Kings” rally in Burnsville. The spirit was wonderful and the participants were polite beyond words. Made me proud to be an American, as an immigrant from Norway.

Dag Sohlberg, Apple Valley

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To President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minnesota U.S. representatives: I am a 73-year-old father of three and grandpa of eight from Nisswa, Minn. I attended my first official protests ever on Oct. 18 in Brainerd and Crosby for two “No Kings” rallies. I do not belong to antifa, nor am I an anarchist or Hamas-loving, as Johnson referred to protesters.

I find it reprehensible and insulting to be called un-American and that I “hate America” because I participated in the protest. Did people who protested against former President Joe Biden hate America? Peaceful protest, going back to our founding fathers, is the most American of traditions. Debate and disagreement on policy is healthy and should be encouraged. For example, I agree with the Trump administration on some policies and disagree on others. What I am protesting is the bad and corrupt behavior of our president and his minions.

As an independent who leans conservative, I am not sure I can vote Republican again until leaders of the party can have the courage to stop endorsing a president who spews divisiveness and enriches himself and his family. Minnesota Republicans, if you want my vote for governor, think Spencer Cox, governor of Utah.

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Rep. Tom Emmer has his dates confused. The “hate America” rally was Jan. 6, 2021. Emmer seems to have forgotten that awful day in our history. The demonstration on Oct. 18 was by people who love their country and are willing to stand up to the abuse of power that Trump perpetrates almost daily.

John Silver, Burnsville

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I’m curious why the Star Tribune chose to shortchange reporting on “No Kings” rallies in the Sunday paper? This was the biggest protest event in the last 50 years, with plenty of opportunities for eye-catching and meaningful images. And it took place across the state — even in towns as small as Crosby. It deserved at least a mention on the front page, not a small write-up on page 4. I love ya, Star Tribune, but you missed the mark on this one.

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I am writing to express my profound disappointment in your newspaper’s coverage of the recent “No Kings” rallies. As a longtime reader who has always valued your commitment to supporting democracy, I was shocked and dismayed to see such a significant event, with so many of your readers involved, relegated to the regional page.

This rally deserved to be front-page, above-the-fold news with full coverage. Instead, your decision to minimize its importance made a powerful national protest appear to be a mere whimper. This kind of reporting discredits the voices of the community.

I urge you to reconsider your editorial judgment regarding events of this magnitude in the future.

Rima Parikh, Eden Prairie

Dear Rep. Tom Emmer:

I am a 70ish white woman who, despite a jam-packed fall schedule, spent two hours Saturday waving my American flag proudly at a “No Kings” demonstration in Minnetonka. There was a huge turnout, and I stood next to three charming women who are your constituents, one of whom blew kisses to the very few motorists passing who used nasty hand gestures to signal their disapproval. We don’t hate America and are not terrorists. In fact, I have spent most of my adult life volunteering at candidate forums, registering voters and serving as an election judge. I believe in democracy.

There was more backbone in that crowd than any of your colleagues have shown against a vengeful, petty, narcissistic man who will not listen to the voice of the people or even any adviser who disagrees with him. He claims to not be a king, but our country was born of the Enlightenment, and Trump seems to want to take us back to the Dark Ages of absolute rulers and anointed families in power. I cannot imagine any human being who I would be as slavishly devoted to as you and your Republican cronies are to an extremely flawed elderly man.

I shouldn’t have to move to the next town for you to listen to me. You represent my state, and I am embarrassed by the language you have used to describe those who are using their First Amendment rights to show displeasure with the current administration. I plan to use my 19th Amendment rights as long as I am able to ensure that my beloved country remains a true democracy. I hope that you will respect those who disagree with you in the future and try to bring back civil discourse.

Deborah Jindra, Minnetrista

I agree with the letter writer of “Protest but don’t exaggerate” (Readers Write, Oct. 17) that Heather Martens’ commentary described a worst-case scenario of authoritarian rule (“Why I’ll attend No Kings and stand for the rule of law,” Strib Voices, Oct. 14). But looking at the current occupant and his many trial balloons, I say there is a trend worth watching. As a child of the occupation in Norway, I have been something of a student of authoritarian rule. So, I am nervously watching our own drama closely (perhaps too closely for my own health). Martin’s commentary is giving us a vision of the endgame, and we are protesting because it is all too real. We may not be there yet, but quacking ducks and camel’s noses come to mind. Having the courage to put our opinions and knowledge in writing and supporting protest like the “No Kings” movement are the surest ways to stifle that duck and to keep that camel out of the tent ... plus voting in 2026. Thank you, Heather Martens.

Harald Eriksen, Brooklyn Park

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The letter writer of “Protest but don’t exaggerate" says that America today is not as authoritarian as Putin’s Russia. He is right. But he misses the point of the people who are warning us about the direction this administration is going. The time to fight back is before the authoritarians’ plans are securely in place. Fight back now against rewriting history. Fight back now against vindictive prosecutions. Fight back now against federal control of university curricula. Fight back now against people being fired for doing their jobs. Fight back now against disinformation. Fight back now against climate-change denial. Fight back now against the abandonment of our international friends. Fight back now against the dismantling of the independence of regulatory agencies. Fight back now against calling anyone who questions the motives of this administration an “enemy of the people.” Fight back now against authoritarianism while you still can.

Rolf Bolstad, Minneapolis

Having lived in Golden Valley for 30 years, I have never been so proud of my city as I was on Saturday. As I came into the downtown area of Hwy. 55 and Winnetka Avenue N., I saw literally thousands of my neighbors and other true Americans publicly exercising their right to a peaceful demonstration of their disgust at the form our present government has taken. They want no kings and no dictators! May their wishes prevail.