ST. PETER — “Hey, hey, ho, ho. Dictatorship has got to go.”
The voices of Laura Sunnarborg and Veronica Wahman rang out of megaphones over steady winds and honking car horns Saturday morning as demonstrators lined the U.S. Highway 169 and gathered at Minnesota Square Park for the third No Kings rally, a local action tied to a broader nationwide day of resistance.
Bundled in heavy coats and gripping signs against the gusts, participants filled the sidewalks from Walnut Street to Jefferson Avenue in a show of what organizers and attendees described as non-violent, community-driven resistance.
Sunnarborg and Wahman told The Free Press their motivation for participating was to express their distaste for the repeated constitutional violations by President Donald Trump and more broadly, their support for democracy. Wahman said getting to amplify the message through a megaphone created a sense of empowerment and highlighted the value of gathering collectively with others to express shared concerns.
Held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the demonstration was organized by Indivisible St. Peter/Greater Mankato in partnership with MSU College Democrats, ACLU-MN and COPAL, among others. Attendees participated as part of a nationwide day of resistance and emphasized that the movement, which began in 2025, has grown into an ongoing national effort “spreading from small towns to city centers.”
With over 3,000 demonstrations taking place Saturday, millions across the nation mobilized in response to actions by the Trump administration, economic pressures and what has been characterized as threats to democratic institutions. Across the rally, signs reflected a range of issues, from immigration enforcement and the killings of Americans Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti in the Twin Cities, economic conditions and the war with Iran.
“You feel somewhat powerless when you have an authoritarian government in place. This is one thing we can do. And we can vote,” said attendee Dennis Cramblit.
Despite the serious subject matter, the atmosphere remained active and at times upbeat. Demonstrators waved signs at passing traffic, shared chants and sang songs, moving along the sidewalks.
Marian Broida, member of the St. Peter/Greater Mankato Indivisible group said the level of enthusiasm surrounding the event appeared higher than previous rallies, and said there was increased anticipation within the community. The first two No Kings demonstrations in June and October 2025 drew crowds of more than 4,000 people in St. Peter and Broida described the event as part of a broader push against what she characterized as anti-authoritarianism, while emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and public understanding of government.
“The United States exists because of the message, No Kings. We did not want to be ruled by a monarch. This is a democracy. It’s the people who control the government.”
Safety planning was a visible component of the event. Lead peacekeeper volunteer Ron Burt directed approximately 30 trained volunteers in safety vests stationed throughout the rally area. Peacekeepers were tasked with maintaining safe movement along sidewalks, monitoring potential conflicts and responding to emergencies.
“We’re here to keep everyone safe, and we do that through separating people from dangerous situations and de-escalating conflicts,” Burt said. “ We’re not here to protect any particular party or interest. We’re here to make sure that everybody has a safe, fun time practicing free speech.”
There were specific procedures for handling incidents, including designated rally points and protocols for medical situations or threats. The group’s approach emphasized separation and de-escalation in the event of confrontation, with volunteers instructed not to engage physically but to keep participants safe.
Broida guessed there were about 100 volunteers supporting logistics across the event. Some were tasked with helping maintain pedestrian flow and ensuring sidewalks remained accessible and others sat at tables with t-shirts, first-aid supplies and with poster-making before the official start time. She said many participants had attended previous demonstrations and viewed their involvement as a way to remain engaged in ongoing political developments.
Katie Simon created a sign in the park pavilion prior to the event and said her messaging was inspired by themes of kindness and inclusivity, drawing from childhood influences such as Mr. Rogers. As a speech therapist, she voiced concern for vulnerable populations.
“No Kings is a good slogan to keep in mind that we’re a democracy, and all of our voices are important, and a lot of them are being trampled on right now. So I think coming together to amplify those voices is good,” she said.
Member of the Indivisible leadership team Zuleika Abdi said participants were motivated by shared values and opposition to current administration policies. She described the demonstration as a peaceful effort to fight back and emphasized the importance of leadership and rhetoric from those in power, stating that public messaging can have direct impacts on vulnerable communities.
“These are very scary times, because we live in a world where it takes a lot of energy to keep things from going south,” Broida said. “It’s so easy for the crooks to take control, and that’s what we see. This administration is packed with thieves.”
Trump previously mocked the rallies in 2025 and at least one Republican representative in the area has posted on Facebook regarding Saturday’s demonstrations.
Jeremy Munson, a former Republican state representative from Lake Crystal and candidate for state Senate District 22 posted photos on Facebook from 2020 protests against COVID-19-related policies with a caption stating, “I’m old enough to remember protesting against the King who wrote laws unilaterally, shut down our state, and then jailed people who violated those laws.”
The movement’s flagship demonstration was expected to draw 100,000 people and took place in the Twin Cities, where marches from multiple starting points were set to converge on the Capitol, followed by a program featuring well-known political figures and activists including Bernie Sanders, Jane Fonda and musician Joan Baez.
As the midday rally continued, demonstrators in St. Peter maintained their presence along the roadside, holding signs and engaging passing drivers. The wind persisted, but so did the crowd, contributing to a coordinated day of resistance that organizers and participants alike described as necessary and empowering.
“Respect the people of America,” Abdi said. “They have spoken.”