WATCH: A “NO KINGS” Rally was Held in Fergus Falls During SummerFest

Fergus Falls, MN – A couple hundred people from around the area gathered for the “NO KINGS” rally in Fergus Falls on Saturday, an event described by organizers as “a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from President Trump and his allies.”

Rally participant Brigitte Munsterman says, “We just think that Trump is trying to turn himself into a king and that’s not… our country was founded on getting rid of kings.

While the majority of people at the event were participants, there were a few people against the protest, but they weren’t there to pick a fight. “Counter” Participant Dallas Barry says he just came to talk to people. He says, “When we stop talking is when it gets violent. If we stop talking, that’s when the sides separate and violence starts.”

Despite the peaceful nature of the rally, there was a brief moment of tension near the end. Video of the incident shows participants crossing the crosswalk, stopping traffic for about 15 seconds, before a pickup with a “Trump 2024” flag that had been driving by in counter protest goes around the car in front of it, into the opposing lane of traffic, and stopping just short of the crosswalk. The protesters walking stop and more come and stand on the crosswalk. The truck goes back, and ends up turning down Stanton Avenue, while the rally’s organizers disperse the participants on the crosswalk. The incident was reported to the police, and no charges were filed.

While Minnesota officials asked organizers across the state to cancel their “NO KINGS” events following the attacks on House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Senator John Hoffman, and their families, that didn’t seem to deter people from filling up Union Bridge and speaking their minds.

Organizer Pam Matchie-Thiede was very surprised by the turnout, saying that she estimates around 350 people attended. Rally participant Candice Lake says, “This is the first time I’ve ever done this, but I think we’re going to lose our democracy if we do not start speaking up and take our country back.”