Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege of spending my Saturday afternoon with over 100,000 of my fellow Minnesotans at the No Kings rally at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota. We were all there to protest the draconian, authoritarian, and morally disgusting Trump administration and its divisive and dangerous policies.

The St. Paul event was the flagship gathering of the day, chosen by Indivisible and other movement organizers. Throughout the U.S., there were over 3,300 events that drew eight million participants, and millions more participated in events worldwide.

St. Paul: Flagship No Kings Event

Minnesota was chosen for this flagship No Kings event in light of having recently endured an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) invasion that led to thousands of arrests and the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents. Since it was the marquee event of the day, there was no shortage of star power on stage.

Among those invited to speak at the No Kings St. Paul event were politicians, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and MN Rep. Ilhan Omar. Representing activist actors were Jane Fonda (live) and Robert De Niro via satellite.

And from the music community, prominent activists Bruce (The Boss) Springsteen, Joan Baez, and Maggie Rogers. One of the highlights of the afternoon was The Boss singing his newest song, “The Streets of Minneapolis,” dedicated to Good and Pretti and to all the anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota.

The crowd brought numerous colorful and creative banners, signs, and costumes, adding humor and focus to the No Kings event. And the speakers led the audience in repeated chants of “No Ice, No War, No Kings.” And the issues that galvanized the crowd were familiar themes in the Age of Trump. Main themes were ICE and their brutal detentions and deportations, opposition to the conflict in Iran, threats to democracy, and the continued centralization of wealth and influence of the richest 10% of Americans.

Sites and Words of No Kings

Here are some of the Sites and Words of the St. Paul No Kings rally.

New Leaf News: What’s your name, and where are you from?

Ben Nelson: “Ben C. Nelson from Grafton, North Dakota.”

NLN: I see you got some protest signs. Are you with a particular group?

BN: “Just myself. Just traveled from North Dakota.”

NLN: Thanks for coming. Why is it important that you’re here?

BN: “I think it’s important for everybody to be here. And the fact that this is the… flagship protest. I feel lucky to be here. I think everybody should take the opportunity to do something like this, not just once, but as many times as possible.”

NLN: Are there particular issues that brought you here?

BN: “All of this. Everything that’s been mentioned today. The conduct of ICE. The war with Iran. Loss of personal freedoms.”

NLN: What would you tell the folks that aren’t here?

BN: “Do as much as you can. You don’t have to be in person to be involved. Call your representatives. Vote.”

NLN: And what would you say to the people who just don’t get it yet?

BN: “I’m not sure how to get through those because we’ve been pretty clear. Look everything up. Do your research. Don’t rely just on one source. Get as much info as possible and learn from that.”

NLN: How fearful are you of a loss of democracy and freedoms?

BN: “It seems like history is repeating itself. Because the patterns are ongoing. Patterns from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and turn of the century America. Persecution that has occurred all over the world.”

NLN: Thanks for your time. And thanks for being here.

Bruce Springsteen:

“Well, this past winter… Federal troops brought death. And terror to the streets of Minneapolis. Well, they picked the wrong city. The power and the solidarity of the people of Minneapolis and of Minnesota was an inspiration to the entire country. Your strength. And your commitment told us that this is still America. And this reactionary nightmare and these invasions of American cities will not stand.

“You gave us hope. You gave us courage. And for those who gave their lives, Renee Good, mother of three, brutally murdered. Alex Pretti, VA nurse, executed by ICE. Shot in the back and left to die in the street without even the decency of our lawless government investigating their deaths. Their bravery, their sacrifice, and their names will not be forgotten. No Ice, No Kings.”

Live Version by Bruce Springsteen of the “Streets of Minneapolis” at No Kings, St. Paul

Excerpts from Bernie Sanders’ No Kings Speech

“My fellow Americans, the establishment— including the corporate media and many of my colleagues in Congress— want you to believe that you are powerless. They want you to believe that you cannot change the status quo, that because of their wealth and their influence. There is nothing you can do to combat them. But that is a lie. Throughout the history of our country. When Americans have stood up and fought for justice. They have prevailed.

“The founders of our country did it. When they stood up to King George. The abolitionists did it when they ended slavery. The working class did it. When they stood up to their bosses and formed unions. Thank you. The suffragettes did it! When they demanded that women have the right to vote. The LGBT community did it when they demanded basic human rights. Time and time again. In difficult moments in American history. Our people stood up. And won. They did it then. We can and will do it now.

“Thank you. Today, March 28th, 2026. Millions of Americans are out on the street. Demanding freedom, democracy, and justice. But we must make certain. Today is not the end of our struggle. It is the beginning. TOGETHER! When we stand united, we can and will create the kind of nation that you and I know that we can become. Thank you all very much.”

Joan Baez

“I am honored to be standing in resistance, with all of you today, on this stage, in this city, at this moment. For those of us who believe in the power of non-violent resistance, and those of you who didn’t— You have shown the way with your courage, determination, and decency. Thank you, Minneapolis. Thank you. Alright, I’m going to stand right here. Let’s stand right here. I first sang this song with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the March on Washington in 1963.”

Live Version by Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers and Tom Morello singing “The Times They Are A-Changing” at No Kings, St. Paul