Two Great Protests, One Powerful Movement!

Exciting No Kings Update

An update from our on-site leader, Judith:

Hey Gang,

We’ve heard a few questions about which rally is which, and we want to ensure everyone arrives organized and energized!

We are fortunate to have two dedicated and distinct protests happening at the same time every Saturday. Both are focused on defending our rights, but they operate independently to give everyone a home.

1. Our Grassroots Community Rally (The “For Everyone” Protest)

Our group, which Mike started and I am now leading, is designed to be a truly non-partisan, all-inclusive movement. We are a grassroots effort that is not affiliated with any political party or formal organization.

We believe that the fight to protect our rights and hold our government accountable is for everyone. Whether you identify as a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or Libertarian—what unites us is our shared commitment to this country.

This is a true community effort. Mike and I initially bought supplies ourselves, and every dollar of your generous donations goes directly back to the group for essentials like water, safety vests, and necessary equipment.

My two top priorities are building this amazing community and ensuring we can gather safely. We work hard to provide water, warm greeters, security personnel, and even medical support every week so you can focus on making your voice heard.

2. The Party-Affiliated Rally

This protest is led by Jay Johnson and is associated with the Democratic Party. Jay’s group features his wonderful sign library and provides a great space for those who want to rally under a clear political banner.

Correction from Jay:

The Carver County DFL is not affiliated with the Emmer Do Better protest, which is a grassroots protest that started in early March by a few concerned citizens, mirroring the weekly Otsego protest outside Emmer’s office there.

The trail is public property and a free speech zone, therefore the DFL and other groups may hand out fliers for their events and promote this protest on their various event pages. Preserving Democracy, our rights and freedoms is something everyone can agree on. All are welcome to come walk the trail with like-minded people.

Conclusion: Let’s Get Organized and Amplify Our Voices!

This shared time allows for a magnificent display of democracy. We are two different groups, but we stand side-by-side with the same goal. The clearer we are about who we are, the stronger our message becomes!

Next week, we’ll share a dedicated message celebrating the incredible community spirit, mutual support, and positivity we see every single Saturday but first, let’s nail the details for this week:

Action Items for Our Rally:

1. “No Kings” Sign Holders: The three sign holders for the opposite side should aim to arrive by 1:20 PM to get positioned and ready.

2. Chant Time: We will officially begin our call-and-response chants at 1:30 PM.

3. Sign Size: The signs should be large enough to be easily readable from a distance. Aim for standard poster board size (22” x 28”) or larger, ideally made from stiff foam board to hold up well.

Let’s Choose Our Powerful Chant!

I’m leaning toward a chant that truly captures the spirit of our democracy. Let me know which of these you are most excited about:

• Option 1 (Call & Response):

  • Call: “Show me what democracy looks like!”

  • Response: “This is what democracy looks like!”

  • (This creates energy and engagement across the crowd!)

• Option 2 (Simple & Direct):

  • “Hey Hey Ho Ho, Donald Trump has got to go!”

  • (Simple, clear, and easy to chant rhythmically.)

• Option 3 (Too long, but the spirit is right!):

  • “Our nation is under attack! What do we do? Stand up and fight back.”

PLEASE post to the comments with the number of your favorite chant! Let’s make this weekend the most organized and impactful one yet!

See you Saturday!

Judith