Minnesota 'No Kings' protests canceled after two lawmakers shot, 1 killed
All coordinated "No Kings" protests in Minnesota have been canceled after two state lawmakers and their spouses were shot in targeted attacks 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 home in Brooklyn Park, officials said. In the neighboring city of Champlin, the suspect also shot state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who are both expected to recover after undergoing surgery, at their residence.
A major search remains underway for the suspect, who fled on foot after firing at police and abandoned a vehicle, law enforcement officials said a news conference. Officers found a "manifesto" listing the names of other legislators and officials.
"No Kings," the movement organizing around 1,800 rallies coinciding 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. In a statement, the group said it is adhering to guidance from Minnesota State Patrol and Gov. Tim Walz, who urged protesters not to attend any rallies 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 said in a statement. "Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the communities shaken by this violence."
However, anti-Trump protests persisted in the state despite the governor's request and the movement's official cancelation.
The group said it is working with its hosts, attendees and officials to ensure that all other No Kings protests in the U.S. "proceed peacefully and safely."
Why are there protests?
"No Kings" protests were organized to reclaim the American flag and U.S. patriotism from the Republican Party as well as to condemn what organizers are calling Trump's recent authoritarian actions.
"Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Continental Army was formed to fight back against a king, and there is an opportunity right now for Americans to come out 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, to come after the pillars of political democracy," Indivisible cofounder and protest organizer Ezra Levin said.
About 2,000 protests and rallies are planned nationwide, with major ones occurring in New York City, Florida, Philadelphia and California.
There is notably none planned in the D.C., where Trump's day-long festival commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army is in motion.
Levin explained that organizers opted out of protesting in Washington to avoid the narrative that they are anti-veteran. He added that the goal was to "actually make this about the American people and the democracy we're defending."
This story has been updated to resolve an inaccuracy and add new information.