No Kings protests scheduled across Minnesota on Saturday

Why it matters: The latest round of demonstrations comes amid growing frustration about the ongoing government shutdown and widespread opposition to President Trump's military crackdown on Democratic-led cities.

State of play: More than 2,500 events were planned across all 50 states as of Monday.

• The largest in the Twin Cities is expected to be a 1pm gathering and march at the Commons park near U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
• Scheduled speakers include Minnesota AFL-CIO president Bernie Burnham and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Zoom in: Participating groups nationwide include the American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible and MoveOn.

• "Together, millions will send a clear and unmistakable message: we are a nation of equals, and our country will not be ruled by fear or force," organizers said in a statement.

The other side: The recurring movement against the Trump administration has garnered sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers who say Democrats are protesting as a ploy during the government shutdown.

• "The Trump Administration is focused on stopping the scourge of left-wing violence plaguing American communities," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement. "Left-wing protestors can beclown themselves by lawfully protesting the alternate reality they live in, but violence or breaking the law will not be tolerated."

What they're saying: "We call it the 'hate America rally' because you'll see the hate for America all over this thing when they show up," House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said during a Tuesday appearance on Fox Business Network, echoing other House GOP leaders.

• In a separate appearance, he said the demonstration was "to score political points with the terrorist wing of their party."

Friction point: Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) condemned Emmer's comments as "escalatory, dangerous, and of profound concern."

• "Your comments were out of character, out of line, and represent the worst in our politics; language that threatens people's safety," she wrote in a letter this week. "We can speak clearly and firmly to our differences without throwing gas on an already dangerous fire."

Flashback: The first No Kings rally took place June 14 in response to a military parade Trump planned for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and the president's 79th birthday.

• Tens of thousands of people turned out at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul for that round, even as law enforcement and organizers tamped down rally plans following the early morning attacks that killed former Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and left Sen. John Hoffman and his wife seriously injured.

Explore the map: What to know about Oct. 18 "No Kings" protests