"Democracy Dies in Silence" Signs Emerge
In the wake of the tragic assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, several hundred individuals, including many first-time protesters, gathered for a No Kings demonstration at Broadway and Center Street on Saturday at noon.
On the same day as the U.S. Army's 250th Anniversary Parade and Donald Trump's 79th birthday in Washington, D.C., over 2,000 protests took place across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. These demonstrations, involving millions of participants, were organized to oppose the policies and actions of the Trump administration.
Among the protesters was Viktoria Davis from Madelia, who serves as the treasurer of New Ulm Indivisible. This group aims to uphold the principles of the U.S. Constitution and to raise awareness about, as well as hold accountable, local, state, and federal representatives whose actions and legislation undermine democratic values, including liberty and justice for all.
“We are outraged by the recent weekend shootings and the suspected assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Horton and her husband. Our thoughts are with their families,” Davis stated. “It’s inspiring to see over 300 people gathered in New Ulm today, with participants from across southern Minnesota. Although we were advised against protesting in the Twin Cities, we are not intimidated. It’s heartening to witness so many individuals ready to advocate for representative democracy.”
Megan Benage from New Ulm stood near the Brown County Historical Society Museum holding a sign that read, “If you think you don’t need clean air, water, and healthy soil, hold your breath. Let me know how it goes.”
She addressed the recent shooting of politicians and their spouses in the Twin Cities, stating, “It’s a terrible tragedy that impacts us all. Violence is not the solution, especially not in Minnesota. While we may have our differences, there should always be room for compromise and progress. We are here to peacefully protest and exercise our First Amendment rights. We stand for democracy, for the people, by the people, period.”
She expressed her belief that the events unfolding at the federal level should alarm everyone. “They’re stripping the essence of government by eliminating federal employees. There are bills and measures aimed at dismantling our public lands, public schools, and Medicaid. These are essential services that people depend on every day to make ends meet. Our politicians should be focused on finding compromises and supporting the public while also considering budgetary balance, rather than indiscriminately cutting programs without any thought,” Menage stated.
Roy Schweiss from Fairfax, wearing a Vietnam Veteran cap, mentioned that the No Kings protest was the first he had ever attended.
"I'm not one to say much, but what’s happening in the federal government right now is frightening," he remarked. His wife, Colleen, concurred. "You wouldn't have enough time to hear all my concerns about the federal government these days. I'm worried that what we're witnessing is just the beginning. Protests like this don't occur during normal times," she added. Mike Mulder, a retiree from New Ulm and a banker for 41 years, mentioned that he has typically voted Republican but has changed his stance now.
"I can no longer support the current situation. I genuinely believe that Trump has undermined the Republican Party, and no one seems willing to oppose him. 'Our priorities have shifted significantly,' he remarked. 'I once considered myself a fiscal conservative, but now I see myself as fiscally responsible. We need a budget that reflects that responsibility, and we are far from achieving it. They may talk a good game, but nothing is being done. It's hypocritical to try to eliminate immigrant farmworkers and other service workers. It disgusts me to see what is happening in our country. The level of hostility has increased, and we can’t even agree on the facts anymore."
