Walz extended his shutdown for another two weeks, Thursday. This means that tens of thousands of Minnesota businesses will be without income for over 60 days. In light of this decision, hundreds of citizens staged “Operation Gridlock,” a drive by protest involving dozens of vehicles trailing flags, displaying signs and honking their horns outside the Capitol. Minnesota’s Operation Gridlock is part of a wider national effort to fill the streets of major cities with protesting vehicles.
Alpha News attended this event and spoke with protestors who said they’re ready to reopen the economy and are unable to go without income any longer. Many protestors also held concerns that Walz has acted outside his legal authority amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Some promised to attend similar demonstration in the future until the governor allows the state to return to normal.
Breitbart also covered Saturday’s demonstration:
LIVE: Open Minnesota Protest at Capitol…
Posted by Breitbart on Saturday, May 2, 2020
A small group protest attendees were visibly armed. These individuals told Alpha News they believe that Americans must “exercise” their liberties to avoid losing them.
About a dozen members of a self described “workers defense group” also gathered in a nearby park area on the other side of the State Capitol. One member of this group told an Alpha News reporter they had congregated to protect a nearby hospital in case the conservative protestors, which the man characterized as “fascist,” decided to attack it.
Apparently he’s a member of a “local workers defense group” that opposes the conservative protestors who are outside the capitol today. pic.twitter.com/zdTecW9M42
— Kyle Hooten (@KyleHooten2) May 2, 2020
A smaller subsequent rally was also held in Bemidji, Minnesota on Saturday according to the Bemidji Pioneer.
Saturday’s demonstrations mark the third time Minnesotans have turned out to protest their governor during the coronavirus pandemic. The first two protests occurred outside Walz’s executive mansion. One of these events also earned the apparent support of President Donald Trump.
LIBERATE MINNESOTA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Kyle Hooten
Kyle Hooten is Managing Editor of Alpha News. His coverage of Minneapolis has been featured on television shows like Tucker Carlson Tonight and in print media outlets like the Wall Street Journal.
