Thousands of demonstrators filled streets around U.S. Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis on Saturday, turning the “No Kings” rally into a sprawling, high-energy rebuke of President Donald Trump’s policies during his second term in office. Protesters in elaborate costumes, from handmaids to inflatable creatures and look-alike Trumps, waved homemade signs warning against “kings” and “tyrants” while calling out what they see as authoritarian behavior from the White House. Speakers framed the event as a defense of democratic norms, accusing Trump of governing more like royalty than an elected leader and criticizing actions such as tariffs and the deployment of National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities. Organizers said the crowd reflected a broad coalition determined to show that Minnesotans reject efforts they believe erode civil liberties and constitutional limits on presidential power.
Democratic Leaders Urge Resistance And High Turnout
Onstage, Minnesota Democrats used the rally to channel anger into long-term political action, urging attendees to stay engaged beyond a single afternoon of chants and speeches. U.S. Sen. Tina Smith told the crowd that Trump’s “corruption” and attempts to roll back freedoms represent an immediate threat, not a distant concern, and argued that Americans pledge allegiance to democratic values rather than to any one person. State Attorney General Keith Ellison highlighted more than 40 lawsuits Minnesota has filed against the Trump administration, promising to bring dozens more if needed to challenge policies on immigration, civil rights, and federal overreach. Both leaders pressed demonstrators to organize neighbors, volunteer, and vote in record numbers in 2026, insisting that legal challenges and electoral pressure together are essential to “hold this dude accountable every day” and to reinforce the idea that no president is above the law.
Costumes, Symbols, And Personal Tributes Shape The March
The rally’s visual energy matched its political message, with marchers using satire and symbolism to criticize Trump and his allies while honoring local leaders lost to violence. One participant, Ken Brown of Eden Prairie, pushed a display portraying Trump as Humpty Dumpty while playing songs of revolution, saying he wanted to celebrate the tradition of peaceful protest and the sacrifices made to defend democracy over generations. Nearby, retired St. Paul police officer and former DFL legislative candidate Lucia Wroblewski held a large image of Minnesota’s flag dedicated to the late House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated along with her husband earlier this year. Wroblewski appealed directly to law enforcement and the military to uphold the Constitution above partisan loyalty, arguing that “the rule of law matters” and that peaceful assembly is central to the freedoms officers swear to protect. Marchers wound through downtown chanting “This is what democracy looks like” as music blared from truck-mounted speakers.
GOP Figures Blast Protest As Extreme And Orchestrated
Republican leaders dismissed the “No Kings” gathering as unrepresentative of most Minnesotans, portraying it as a coordinated effort by far-left activists rather than a grassroots outpouring. U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer took to social media to claim the crowd reflected a faction that supports extremist rhetoric, accuses opponents of being “fascists” or “gestapo,” and seeks to hold the country “hostage” to its demands. The Minnesota Republican Party argued that if protesters object to heavy-handed leadership, their ire should be directed at Gov. Tim Walz, whom they accuse of acting like a monarch during the COVID-19 pandemic by issuing sweeping executive orders. Party chair Alex Plechash suggested the event followed a “prepackaged Washington playbook,” financed by the same donors who once tried to lift Walz onto the national stage. Walz, now seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term, has cast himself instead as a seasoned governor ready to confront the Trump administration and to keep Minnesota on what he calls a steady, pragmatic course.
Organizers Emphasize Peaceful Protest And Free Speech
Rally organizers and local allies stressed that their goal is nonviolent, constitutionally protected dissent, pushing back on characterizations that could paint participants as dangerous. Groups behind the nationwide “No Kings” actions say they are focused on peaceful marches and open expression, warning that inflammatory comments from critics risk encouraging harassment or violence against ordinary demonstrators. In Minneapolis, a few counterprotesters used a megaphone to shout over speeches and roam the park, but they drew little attention from the main stage, which sat atop a truck bed near the stadium. Police officers handled security and traffic control while declining to provide an official estimate of crowd size, citing the private nature of the event. As the march wound down, organizers reiterated that their movement is about defending checks and balances, supporting those who feel targeted by federal policy, and reminding leaders in Washington that voters in Minnesota expect presidents to govern as public servants, not as kings.
