Thousands Gather Across Minnesota for 'No Kings' Protests

Rallies in Cloquet, Moose Lake, and Duluth draw hundreds to voice opposition to authoritarianism and congressional inaction.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:00am

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a group of protesters holding signs and flags along a busy urban intersection, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a contemplative mood.As concerns over government overreach grow, citizens across Minnesota gather to peacefully protest in defense of democratic values.Cloquet Today

Thousands of protesters gathered across Minnesota as part of a nationwide 'No Kings' protest movement, with over 600 people turning out in Cloquet, more than 200 in Moose Lake, and thousands more in Duluth. The protesters, including military veterans, carried signs denouncing authoritarianism and calling on Congress to fulfill its duties, as the influx of federal immigration agents has mostly departed the state.

Why it matters

The 'No Kings' protests reflect growing grassroots opposition to perceived authoritarian tendencies and congressional inaction on key issues. The large turnout in small and mid-sized Minnesota cities underscores how this movement has resonated beyond just major urban centers.

The details

Protesters of all ages lined the busy intersection of Minnesota Highway 33 and Big Lake Road in Cloquet, waving signs with slogans like 'No kings, No war' and 'Congress, do your job!' The local Cloquet Area Indivisible: We the People group organized the event, which was open to all. Similar protests drew over 200 people in Moose Lake and thousands in Duluth as part of a nationwide day of action that the Indivisible group estimated drew over 8 million participants across 3,200 events in all 50 states.

  • Protesters have been gathering at the Cloquet intersection nearly every Tuesday during the evening rush hour.
  • The main 'No Kings' protest event was held in St. Paul on Saturday, drawing over 100,000 people.

The players

Lyle Thomason

A military veteran and frequent protester who held a sign reading 'I am a veteran. I love America. That's why I'm here! No Kings!!'

Barb Lammi

A proud 'peacekeeper' at the Cloquet protest, who noted the diverse group of people who came 'to be with everybody.'

Cloquet Area Indivisible: We the People

The local group that organized the Cloquet protest, which has grown to close to 1,000 members since starting in January 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We've got all kinds of people here and they're not afraid to stand shoulder to shoulder, even without signs, they came to be with everybody. That's the beauty of this thing.”

— Barb Lammi, Peacekeeper

“I am a veteran. I love America. That's why I'm here! No Kings!!”

— Lyle Thomason, Military Veteran

“You look back at the Nixon era: the Republicans back then had a spine and they had morals. Now they're just getting behind a dictator and they're afraid to speak up. ... I wish they would exercise their First Amendment rights and start speaking out.”

— Lyle Thomason, Military Veteran

What’s next

The local Cloquet Area Indivisible: We the People group plans to continue organizing weekly protests at the same intersection on Tuesdays, as they don't expect the issues driving the 'No Kings' movement to be resolved anytime soon.

The takeaway

The large turnout for the 'No Kings' protests in small and mid-sized Minnesota cities underscores how this grassroots movement against authoritarianism and congressional inaction has resonated across the state, not just in major urban centers. The diverse group of participants, including military veterans, highlights the broad-based nature of the opposition.