ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Organizers of the 'No Kings' rallies predict that protests against the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration could amount to one of the largest demonstrations in U.S. history, with Minnesota serving as the focal point.
More than 3,100 events have been registered across all 50 states, expecting the participation of over 9 million people.
The rally at the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul has been designated as the national flagship event, underscoring its significance as a center of resistance where federal agents fatally shot two individuals monitoring Trump’s immigration policies.
Bringing star power to the gathering, artist Bruce Springsteen will perform his song 'Streets of Minneapolis,' inspired by the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and the ongoing outcry against Trump’s immigration strategies. Springsteen's upcoming 'Land of Hope & Dreams' American Tour kicks off in Minneapolis.
State officials are bracing for an estimated 100,000 attendees at the Capitol grounds, following last June's event which attracted around 80,000 participants.
Notable attendees at the St. Paul rally will also include Joan Baez, Jane Fonda, and Senator Bernie Sanders, along with numerous activists and labor leaders.
In a dismissive response, the White House characterized the protests as influenced by 'leftist funding networks,' suggesting little public support.
Globally, parallel rallies are being organized in over a dozen countries from Europe to Latin America to Australia, reflecting a broader discontent with authoritarianism. For those unable to join in person, virtual alternatives are being provided for online participation.
Each rally amplifies the voices of a diverse demographic dissatisfied with the current administration's policies, signaling a movement that transcends party lines and urban versus rural divides, as articulated by various activist leaders.
