ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The "No Kings" protest movement in Minnesota will gain prominence Saturday with a major rally coinciding with Bruce Springsteen's performance of his song "Streets of Minneapolis." This event comes at a time when the state is grappling with strong emotions stemming from President Donald Trump's immigration policies and the recent shootings of Minnesota residents by federal officers. The Minnesota rally at the state Capitol in St. Paul has been designated as the flagship event of the nationwide protest.
Organizers are anticipating that approximately 100,000 participants could gather at the Capitol complex, which previously hosted a rally last June attracting an estimated 80,000 attendees. Overall, more than 3,100 events are scheduled to occur across all 50 states, with an expected participation of over 9 million individuals. Significantly, a growing number of protests are taking place in suburban areas, where resistance to Trump’s policies is increasingly prominent.
Ezra Levin, a cofounder of the activist group Indivisible, which is leading the organization of these events, highlighted that the Minnesota rally is essential due to the stark contrast between the "horrific, sadistic behavior" of the Trump administration and the inspiring local activism seen in the Twin Cities this year. He emphasized the importance of this grassroots organizing as a source of inspiration for broader movements against perceived authoritarianism considered to be promoted by Trump.
This rally will not only feature Springsteen but will also showcase a lineup of notable figures, including singer Joan Baez, actor Jane Fonda, and Senator Bernie Sanders, along with various activists, labor leaders, and elected officials. The “No Kings” protests have previously attracted millions of participants, with over 5 million people joining in more than 2,100 events last June and about 7 million attending over 2,700 events last October.
Plans for the protests were originally announced in January, shortly after the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during federal operations in Minnesota. The influx of federal officers in the region has intensified local activism, making it a focal point for the movement. Furthermore, Levin noted that opposition to the current military actions in Iran may draw even larger crowds to the Saturday protests.
The White House has dismissed the upcoming protests as being driven by "leftist funding networks" and lacking genuine public support, while Trump himself has previously responded to "No Kings" rallies by asserting that he is not a king and suggesting that the rally-goers do not represent the American populace. Springsteen, who has openly criticized Trump, expressed the significance of the "No Kings" movement, framing it as a defense of democracy and freedom amid threats posed by what he refers to as a "wannabe king" and his administration.
Springsteen passionately articulated the importance of his performance and the message behind it, stating that songs with powerful timing can elevate the moment and deepen the impact of their messages. He plans to perform "Streets of Minneapolis" at the rally on Saturday as well as during a concert at the Target Center in Minneapolis, which marks the beginning of his "Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour." In asserting the strength of the "No Kings" movement, Springsteen aims to galvanize support for American rights that he believes are currently under attack.
