Minnesota 'No Kings' protests aim to be example of peace amid shooting targeting lawmakers
SAINT PAUL, Minn. — June 14 was expected to be a busy day in politics. It's President Donald Trump's birthday, Flag Day and, for some protesters, "No Kings" Day. A military parade was planned in Washington, D.C.
But the day quickly turned somber. Minnesotans woke up to news that two DFL state legislators and their spouses were targeted in early morning shootings on June 14. These attacks left Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Center, and her husband, Mark, dead, while Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and his wife, Yvette, were injured.
A suspect knocked on the doors of targeted lawmakers, officials said at a news conference, as a man dressed as a law enforcement officer allegedly proceeded to shoot them. The suspect, Vance Boelter, 57, looked indistinguishable from a real officer and had a vehicle resembling a squad car, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. He ran from the scene and remains at large.
Authorities say Boelter left a manifesto in the car, which lists other officials as potential targets.
But the day's festivities carried on for many Minnesotans. Crowds gathered for "No Kings" Day protests across the state, despite the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's advisory to avoid the rallies.
"Out of an abundance of caution my Department of Public Safety is recommending that people do not attend any political rallies today until the suspect is apprehended," Walz posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Chants of "No hate, no fear, trans folks are welcome here," echoed through a sea of protesters walking toward the Minnesota State Capitol on June 14, roughly two hours after Gov. Tim Walz addressed the shootings in a news briefing.
For protesters like Amy Worthingham of Minneapolis, their presence meant more than a typical "No Kings" Day celebration. It was a stance against political violence.
"The state of our country right now is very frightening (with) how much violence is being used to solve problems," Worthingham said. "We wanted to come out here and peacefully protest against those types of acts."
Ashley-Marie Durbin Cowen said she was shocked a politically-motivated shooting took place in her home state. She said she always viewed Minnesota as "a very peaceful state" and couldn't imagine such a "hateful" act happening here.
"I'm heartbroken and so sick to my stomach," Durbin Cowen said. "As soon and I woke up and saw the news, I was in shock."
Durbin Cowen said she's inspired by the turnout in Saint Paul and is glad others think similarly to her, not wanting "hate and fear to rule us."
In central Minnesota, St. Cloud has had a number of recent protests focusing on the federal government and Trump. This June 14 "No Kings" Day sparked at least two rallies in St. Cloud, bringing a large crowd despite the advisory from state agencies and the St. Cloud Police Department.
Roughly 300 people attended a performance rally near the Stearns County Courthouse in downtown St. Cloud. Attendees voiced their frustrations through song while visiting booths staffed by local organizations. The performance rally aimed at being family friendly with a wide range of activities.
"I want to be an example to my children and my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren; I'm doing this for them," Sauk Rapids resident Yvonne Crandall, 90, told the St. Cloud Times. "I want to assure that they have freedom when they're adults."
Another downtown St. Cloud rally in the afternoon included flags, balloons and homemade signs that displayed phrases like "defend democracy" and "resist tyranny."
Several attendees at rallies in St. Cloud and Saint Paul said they are concerned about LGBTQ+ policies and Trump's overuse of executive orders.
"This does affect you on a fundamental level; it'll affect your rights in the future," St. Cloud attendee Emily Holson said. "Whatever group that you think that they're affecting that you're not a part of, it's going to affect you."
This is a developing story that may be updated.
Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com.
Reporter Teagan King contributed.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota 'No Kings' Day Protesters Rally Despite Shooting, Warnings
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