St. Paul takes center stage in nationwide "No Kings" protests

Zoom in: The main Twin Cities march will kick off from three separate locations — Saint Paul College, Harriet Island and Western Sculpture Park — at noon before the crowds converge for the 2pm rally on the Capitol grounds.

• Local politicians scheduled to speak include Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison and Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her.

Zoom out: Similar demonstrations are planned in thousands of locations across the country, including several smaller gatherings across the metro and state.

• Organizers say the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, the war in Iran and the threat of authoritarianism are top issues driving participation.

Worth noting: St. Paul Police plan to close Wabasha Street from Harriet Island to the Capitol starting around 11:45 am, per the Pioneer Press.

• Sections of John Ireland Boulevard and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near the Capitol will also be closed to traffic.
• When they reopen will depend on the crowd size and length of the rally, but officials said to expect the closures to last at least an hour.

Go Deeper: More than 3,000 No Kings protests set for Saturday

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