Thousands Rally Peacefully for No Kings Protest Hours after Hortman Assassination

Joan Nelson said today’s movement was only the second protest she’s attended in her life. She said she came away with “hope, some hope.

Thousands rally for the nationwide No Kings day of protest against the Trump administration, scheduled to coincide with a Washington, D.C. military parade for the Army’s 250th anniversary, which is also Trump’s 79th birthday Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Thousands of people peacefully marched and rallied at the Minnesota State Capitol Saturday as part of the national “No Kings” day of protest, despite advice from local law enforcement to stay home following the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and the shooting of Democratic Sen. John Hoffman.

Pediatrician Arnold London holds up a sign with a photo of Speaker emerita Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated overnight, as thousands rally for the nationwide No Kings day of protest against the Trump administration. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

The suspect, now identified as Vance Boelter, was still at large as droves arrived at the march’s staging area at St. Paul College. People were sharing updates and making safety plans with each other. Most decided to stay even as the Minnesota State Patrol posted on X that “No Kings” signs were found in the suspect’s car and that the public should not attend the protest.

Amelia Nelson, 22, came to protest with her mother and her grandmother, Joan Nelson, 82. “We’re in such dire times, it feels like the end times for me honestly. But it was important for me to come out, I wanted to experience the community.”

Joan Nelson said today’s movement was only the second protest she’s attended in her life. She said she came away with “hope, some hope. There were a lot of people, a lot of good messages. Fight on, don’t give up. There will be times when there are people we may lose, but still we fight on.”

Nekima Levy Armstrong speaks as thousands rally for the nationwide No Kings day of protest against the Trump administration. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)