Buffalo, Minn., residents gathered earlier this month to protest their local Target store’s Pride month displays.
Radio host Bradlee Dean initiated the protest because he said people were sick of Pride. “The people in this county do not want it here,” Dean said.
About one week prior to the protest, Dean went into the Target store and confronted a manager over the displays, who said he was just doing his job. The manager, who was wearing a “love is love” shirt, directed Dean to contact Target’s media relations department.
Another Target store employee told Dean they were “working on it” when he asked them why the displays were still up in the “most conservative county in Minnesota.”
About 50 people showed up and protested outside of the Buffalo Target on June 17, holding signs that said things like “Target exploits children” and “Grooming children is a crime.”
Video of the protest shows Dean being confronted by counter-protesters saying that the products Target is selling aren’t grooming kids. A few of the counter-protesters held trans flags or Pride flags.
“This is illegal, every step of the way,” Dean told the counter-protesters regarding the Pride month line. “Do you not see what they’re doing? If they can demoralize you, they can control you.”
One counter-protester called the group of anti-Pride protesters “f–ing cowards,” according to video.
Target has lost billions of dollars after boycotts were launched against the retail giant following the release of its Pride month line. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison recently released a public letter to the corporation after it chose to remove some items from stores.
Ellison hinted that he could use his powers as AG to pressure the retailer to keep the products on its shelves.
Target also participated in last weekend’s Twin Cities Pride parade, where a nearly nude man twerked in front of minor children.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
