All coordinated “No Kings” protests in Minnesota have been canceled following the targeted shootings of two state lawmakers and their spouses on Saturday.
A gunman posing as a police officer shot and killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband Mark early Saturday at their Brooklyn Park home, according to officials.
In Champlin, the suspect also shot state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home, both of whom are expected to recover after surgery.
According to law enforcement officials, a major search is still underway for the suspect, who fled on foot after firing at police and abandoning a vehicle. Officers discovered a “manifesto” that included the names of other legislators and officials.
“No Kings,” the movement organizing approximately 1,800 rallies in conjunction with President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C., has decided to immediately cancel all events in the state out of an abundance of caution.
The group said in a statement that it is following instructions from the Minnesota State Patrol and Gov. Tim Walz, who urged protesters not to attend any rallies on Saturday.
“We are doing this in accordance with local and state guidance given the suspect is still at large impersonating a police officer,” No Kings wrote in a press release. “Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the communities shaken by this violence.”
The group stated that it is working with its hosts, attendees, and officials to ensure that all future No Kings protests in the United States “proceed peacefully and safely.”
Why are there protests?
The “No Kings” protests were organized to reclaim the American flag and patriotism from the Republican Party, as well as to condemn what organizers describe as Trump’s recent authoritarian actions.
“The Continental Army was formed two hundred and fifty years ago to fight back against a king, and there is an opportunity right now for Americans to stand up and say, ‘No, wait, this isn’t what America stands for.'”
“We didn’t sign up for this guy to concentrate power in his own hands and attack the pillars of political democracy,” Indivisible cofounder and protest organizer Ezra Levin explained.
Approximately 2,000 protests and rallies are planned nationwide, with major ones taking place in New York City, Florida, Philadelphia, and California.
There are none planned in Washington, where Trump’s day-long festival commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army is currently underway.
Levin explained that organizers chose not to protest in Washington in order to avoid being perceived as anti-veterans. He also stated that the goal was to “make this about the American people and the democracy we’re defending.”
