Gov. Tim Walz to join Twin Cities ‘No Kings’ rally as national flagship protest returns Saturday
What is happening
Gov. Tim Walz is set to attend the “No Kings” rally in the Twin Cities on Saturday, March 28, as Minnesota hosts the national flagship event of a coordinated day of demonstrations planned across the United States. The gathering is scheduled to culminate in a large rally on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds in St. Paul, following multiple marches that converge on the Capitol.
The rally is expected to draw a significant crowd, continuing a series of “No Kings” protests that began in 2025 and have since expanded into repeated national mobilizations. Organizers describe the events as focused on democratic governance and opposition to what they characterize as authoritarian tendencies in national politics.
Local logistics and planned program
In St. Paul, the main march is set to begin at noon from three separate starting points—Saint Paul College, Harriet Island and Western Sculpture Park—before participants gather for a rally scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at the Capitol.
- Start time: noon (three march departure points)
- Rally time: 2 p.m.
- Location: Minnesota State Capitol grounds, St. Paul
Street closures are expected along portions of the march route and near the Capitol as public safety and traffic officials manage the crowd and event footprint.
Who is expected to appear
Saturday’s St. Paul event is set to include a mix of national and local public figures. Scheduled attendees include U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and several high-profile performers and advocates, among them Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers and Jane Fonda. Minnesota officials listed for speaking roles include Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her.
“We will never forget what happened here.”
Why Minnesota is a focal point
Minnesota’s role as the flagship site reflects the state’s prominence in the movement’s recent organizing and the broader national debate over immigration enforcement. The rally also comes against a backdrop of heightened political tension nationally, with organizers citing immigration policy and international conflict—along with institutional checks and balances—as central concerns motivating turnout.
The “No Kings” banner has been used for multiple waves of protests since 2025, with earlier major events held in June and October of that year. Saturday’s mobilization continues that pattern, with St. Paul positioned as the central stage for the national campaign’s messaging and visibility.
What to watch next
Public safety planning, crowd size, and transportation impacts around downtown St. Paul and the Capitol complex will be key developments Saturday. The event’s scale and the participation of top state officials, including Walz, are likely to shape how the rally is interpreted as both a local gathering and a national political signal.