The Day After “No Kings” October 18
POSTNOTE: here is how the event organizers report on October 18.
We were at the Stillwater MN Demo yesterday. It didn’t look like much compared with the mega rallies, but I’m quite positive there were well over 1,000 persons near the St. Croix River Bridge.
Here’s a photo I took of the group on the bridge itself, not all of the participant, but a substantial part. Imagine a “T” I’m taking the photo at the top of it. Both sides were equally packed. Vehicles were restricted to one lane in the middle of the street, and were infrequent and moved very slowly.
October 18, 2025, Stilllwater-Oak Park Heights MN.
You could not imagine a more orderly crowd. The volunteer at front was one of the traffic managers, and there were cars, not many, which freely and safely went through. I don’t recall any hostile exchanges. There was one police presence, that for a medical situation for one of the demonstrators. There were loads of flags and signs. No speeches.
We had to walk about a half mile in, and of course, out, and we got there early. We were tired when we returned home in mid-afternoon.
I’d say the benefit of gatherings like this around the country is a chance to connect with others among the many millions of us who are deeply concerned. The visibility doesn’t hurt either. The fake news merchants would have to lie through their teeth to come up with a story of violence within our group, and my guess is that would be a repetitive story everywhere. We didn’t need to have a flier to make nice or make trouble. We were simply citizens concerned about the future for all of us..
Over the years, especially in the Iraq War era, I was in lots of demos and marches, all non-violent. This was no change.
The demonstrations aren’t ends in themselves, rather than a beginning for daily efforts in the great assortment of ways each and every citizen can contribute towards a better future for us all in this country. This was the second demo at the this site. The earlier one (which I did not attend) was much smaller, I heard. People are paying attention.
We citizens, all of us, ARE the politics we like to criticize. Keep on keeping on.
October 17 post is here.
COMMENTS:
from Carol: I’m not clear if the protest yesterday was on the bridge over 36 or on the interstate bridge. When I went, it was on the 36 overpass bridge. Not a terribly long walk from that parking lot – but long enough that I really didn’t look forward to it again. So I thought I would go to the one they had advertised at an overpass on Hwy. 52 in W. St. Paul. They said an easy walk, etc. I’m glad I checked that out the day before as it was also quite a long hike, uphill. But then [husband] got sick and I decided to just skip this one.
Response from Dick: Re the walks, both directions were a bit of a hike and there was no easy way to avoid them. Best I can tell, this initiative, everywhere, is completely volunteer driven. I suppose there could be many possible legitimate reasons for not organizing any demo. They’re a huge amount of hard work and responsibility. Had some folks not rolled up their sleeves, none of these events would have happened. Nobody asked for any donations.
from Jean: [First] pic is from the Women in Walkers rally in front of Carondelet Village on Fairview in St. Paul. I’ve been to 4 actions with them and it’s always been about 50 to 60 people. There were over 3000 people there. Had a great time and all the honking by every vehicle driving through. These are board members of Twin Cities Nonviolent and friends. We followed the request to wear yellow and have positive messages. These are messages from the skit Vote Climate did at the state fair EcoExperience August 23.
October 18 St. Paul
from Dick
October 18 Stillwater
from John in Davis CA: Looked like a beautiful day in Stillwater.
Those photos are here. The album also includes other photos from an earlier rally in June.
from Sue: Golden Valley was filled with positive energy, great signs, and supportive horns.
from Brian: Thanks Dick! For this report and stepping up!
from Lois (see also comment below): Please find [following] pages of “Passport Through Time” for 250 Years: Passport Through Time 250. These are for October, November and December of what was happening 250 years ago during the American Revolution. This was received from my chapter DAR Regent. Interesting that it was sent out to us at the time of the “No King” marches.
Glad you are home safe Dick. I did worry some about you being there. Glad everything was peaceful. That is how protests should be.
Good to hear about different protests around the country. Indivisible did a great job nation/world wide to organize peacefully, giving folks a safe way to exercise their First Amendment rights.
I attended two events…one in Silverton, Oregon and the other in Canby, Oregon. I met lots of folks I knew at both rallies. There were about 400-600 people at both from what organizers said….usually like Jean said above there are about 60 folks.
I loved seeing the kids present as well as the older folks with their handmade signs. I stood next to 2 huge unicorns who held signs…loved the ‘costumed animal presence’-festive!…Very Portland-esque! There were 3 different hecklers who roared in and blew smoke out their tailpipes at the peaceful demonstators…bullies who have been terrorizing us since t-p has run for office. Then all of a sudden from seemingly nowhere came a police officer on a motorcycle- lights flashing and pulling over the bullies down the road! Everyone cheered each time! This is the first time in all my years at protest rallies (civil rights, wars etc) that the police stood up to the bullies! It gave my heart hope that we must stand up to injustice and bullying with the law supporting us… doing what they are called to do, what they have sworn to do.
It was a great event in White Bear Lake. A stalwart group of 2 to 10 from the Iraq Q war morphed to over a thousand. Stretched from the Mobil station to McDonald’s, both sides of highway 61. 1000 registered, might have been double that. Lots of mainstream folks, all looking for a place to speak their minds. Great posters.
It was interesting but not at all surprising to hear some Republican congressman denigrate the No Kings protests by claiming that the numbers were much smaller than those for Trump rallies. At seven million people protesting across the nation, I don’t think so but the Republicans have their lips so firmly attached to Trump’s generous butt that they can never speak out against him and his policies let alone his dumb bottom claims.
Good photos. We attended in Burnsville MN and expected maybe 200 to 300 people, I estimated about 2000 people there for 1.5 hours. It was sunny and lots of happy sunny dispositions. We stood on sidewalks on either side of Nicollet avenue for about 3-4 blocks and at least 80pct of passing cars honked or cheered support. A mix of ages, I would say skewed to the +55 crowd. Didnt get a photo but one of the best posters was on a baby stroller that said; “This is so serious I had to skip naptime”
Good news coming from locations on turnout of the “No King’s Day” re attendance and civility. I think Republican and Democratic parties are going thru a reset of allegiance and Independents making choices based on issues. Time to get away from the “blame game” on decisions and use common sense as well as realize what is most valuable way to tax and spend.
I was in Minneapolis, so no pics needed. Massive. Lively and fun. The police were cheerful and wished us well. Just as they did at the Women’s March. Tina Smith and Keith Ellison in particular gave great speeches. On the march, people hollered good things down to us from their condo windows. One couple held their little corgi out to us as a charm. We waved and chanted “Cor-GIE, Cor-GIE, Cor-GIE!” It was a lovely moment.
We’re lucky to live in Minnesota.