Fargo 'No Kings' rally (photo: Nate Coen)
FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) – The area in front of Fargo City hall began to fill at around noon on Saturday for the ‘No Kings’ rally.
Organizers estimate over 3,000 people showed up to voice their discontent with President Donald Trump’s birthday celebration and his administration’s policies.
Plenty planned to gather on the Minnesota side of the border, but those protests were largely called off following the murder of state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband.
“She was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place,” said Governor Tim Walz regarding Hortman.
North Dakota State Senator Tim Mathern appeared at the Fargo gathering. The grief and tension in his words were evident as he described his emotions.
“Violence – political violence – is never right. And I think we have to demonstrate ways of engagement that are not violent,” he said.
Mathern said, though, that it was important to stay strong in the face of such tragedy.
Fargo ‘No Kings’ rally (photo: Nate Coen)
Despite the lingering fear of potential violence, the protest went off without much disruption, save a few agitators. Those in attendance stayed focused on their message.
“I wanted to come out today to show support, especially since a lot of people are facing hardships,” said Gina, a protestor.
Also in North Dakota – it’s estimated that 1,700 people turned up in Bismarck, while smaller protests were held in Grand Forks, Jamestown, Bottineau, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Williston and Minot.
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