Cities across the United States are gearing up for the latest "No Kings" protests this Saturday, and Minnesota's turnout is likely to garner extra attention.
Residents opposed to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown here say the fallout is still fresh in their minds. The series of nonviolent nationwide protests the past year is tied to mounting frustration over many different actions by the Trump White House. More recently, "Operation Metro Surge" in Minnesota fueled extensive outcry following what many describe as overly aggressive tactics by federal immigration officers.
An event is planned in Kandiyohi County. Its county seat Willmar's population is 25% Latino.
Rayn Hedlund of nearby New London will be in attendance and said she wants to stand in solidarity with her neighbors.
"Willmar has a large immigrant community," she said. "They helped our community thrive and are a huge part of a lot of really positive things that are happening in the community."
Minneapolis drew attention for ICE arrests and the fatal shooting of two protesters, but Willmar organizers also reported controversial enforcement. That included agents detaining staff at a Mexican restaurant hours after eating there.
Hedlund said she worries about the survival of immigrant-owned businesses. The White House has often characterized these protests as a "joke." President Donald Trump's approval numbers have fallen to 36%. Hedlund lives in a county that voted heavily for Trump, but she said she feels that the backlash against his policies and actions resonates with voters aligned with both major parties.
"More lines are being crossed," she said, "and people are waking up."
Hedlund said she had her own encounter with ICE agents while serving as a trained constitutional observer. She relayed what happened to the Willmar City Council during a recent meeting.
Local authorities last year entered into an agreement with ICE concerning people held at the Kandiyohi County jail. Hedlund said the actions of ICE and any kind of partnerships with local agencies erodes the public's trust with law enforcement.
Source: Public News Service
