Staff photo by Clay Schuldt A group of 37 people took part in a protest against vaccine mandates Saturday. The group gathered on the corner of 5th North and Garden Street near New Ulm Medical Center with signs opposing a mandate that would require certain employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

NEW ULM — A group of people protesting vaccine mandates formed on the corner of 5th North and Garden Street, Saturday near the New Ulm Medical Center.

The group’s stated purpose was to support health and medical freedom. The protest began at 9 a.m. and lasted through 11 a.m. Approximately 37 protestors turned out in support of the event. Throughout the rally, many vehicles driving past the corner honked in support of the cause.

Early this month, President Joe Biden announced plans to mandate vaccinations for federal employees. The mandate would also require businesses with over 100 workers to have their workers vaccinated or require weekly testing. Many people feel this is infringing on their freedoms. Similar medical freedom rallies are planned around the state.

Protestors at New Ulm’s rally were handing out plans for an Oct. 4 rally in Hutchinson at Library Square. The keynote speaker at the rally is former Minnesota Senator Dr. Scott Jensen, now a candidate for Minnesota Governor, who has been outspoken again regarding vaccine mandates.

Currently, a little over 50% of Brown County’s population is vaccinated against COVID-19. The largest demographic of unvaccinated people are children under 12. The vaccine is not yet approved for children under 12. Brown County’s adult population is nearly 70% vaccinated. According to Minnesota Department of Health statistics, 69.7% of Brown County residents over 18 have completed the COVID-19 vaccine series and 76.2% of county residents over 18 have received at least one vaccine dose.