St. Paul is set to host a major rally of the No Kings protest movement on Saturday, drawing thousands of people amid rising political tensions in the United States.
Organizers expect more than 9 million participants at more than 3,100 events across the country, including Bruce Springsteen at the Minnesota gathering. The protests target US policies on immigration and war, while they reflect growing debate about anti-Americanism and political unrest and civil movements.
The state Capitol rally will feature performances and appearances by Joan Baez and Jane Fonda and Bernie Sanders. Organizers chose Minnesota as their location due to recent conflicts between federal immigration enforcement and local resident incidents.
Indivisible, the activist group leading the movement, says the No Kings protests are aimed at opposing authoritarian policies.
According to Indivisible, rallies are planned in all 50 states and several countries, including Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom. This movement is continuously growing, last year lakhs of people participated in the demonstrations.
Organizers say American protest movements and political activism have turned suburban areas into new centers of activism.
The No Kings protests take place during a period of ongoing conflicts that stem from Donald Trump’s policies regarding immigration and his international relations strategies. The White House has dismissed the demonstrations as politically motivated.
Springsteen uses his performance to express his disapproval of Trump while performing music that promotes democracy and freedom. His new song inspired by the events in Minnesota is expected to be the centerpiece of the rally.
