More than 2,000 protests involving several million people across the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands, aimed at opposing policies and actions of the Donald Trump administration, occurred on the same day as the U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Parade and Trump’s 79th birthday in Washington, D. C.

Protesters included Viktoria Davis of Madelia, treasurer of New Ulm Indivisible – a group said to promote and protect the ideals and intent of the U.S Constitution and raise awareness of and hold accountable local, state and federal representatives whose words, behavior and legislation counters democratic ideals including liberty and justice for all.

“We’re angered about weekend shootings and suspected assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Horton and her husband. We send our condolences to their families,” said Davis. ” It’s great to see so many people, I’d say more than 300, engaged in New Ulm today. We had people here from all over southern Minnesota today. People were asked not to protest in the Twin Cities today. A number of people asked us about not protesting today, but we’re not afraid. It’s encouraging to see so many people willing to stand up for representative democracy.”

Megan Benage of New Ulm held a sign near the Brown County Historical Society Museum that read “If you think you don’t need clean air, water and healthy soil, hold your breath. Let me know how it goes.”

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Megan Benage of New Ulm holds a sign at the No Kings protest at Center and Broadway Saturday.

She talked about the weekend shooting of politicians and their spouses in the Twin Cities.

“I think it’s a horrible tragedy I think affects all of us. That is not how we solve problems, especially not in Minnesota. We may disagree, but there should be an opportunity to compromise for improvement. Resorting to violence is not the way. We’re here peacefully protesting, exercising our First Amendment rights,” said Menage. “We’re here for democracy, for the people, by the people, period.”

She said she thinks everything happening at the federal level should concern people.

“They’re taking the heart out of government by removing federal employees. There are bills and provisions to gut our public lands, public schools, Medicade. There are things people rely on daily just to get by. Our politicians should be trying to find ways to compromise and support people while being mindful to balancing the budget, not just slashing everything without any thought about it,” said Menage.

Roy Schweiss of Fairfax wore a Vietnam Veteran ball cap. He said the No Kings protest was the first one he ever attended.

“I’m a man of few words, but what is going on now in the federal government is scarey,” he said.

His wife Colleen agreed.

“You don’t have enough time to listen to all the things that bother me about the federal government now. I’m afraid what’s happening now is a sign of things to come. Protests like this don’t happen in ordinary times,” she said.

New Ulm retiree Mike Mulder, a banker for 41 years, said he voted Republican most of his life but not now.

“I just can’t support what is going on now. I honestly feel Trump has destroyed the Republican party and nobody is willing to stand up against him. Our priorities are not what they used to be,” he said. “I used to think I was a fiscal conservative. Now, I think I’m fiscally responsible. We need a budget that is fiscally responsible. We’re not close to that. They talk a good story but it’s not happening. They’re hypocrites, trying to get rid of immigrant farm workers and other service workers. It makes me sick what’s happening in our country now. The level of animosity has been raised. We can’t even agree on the facts anymore.”

Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm retiree Mike Mulder, far right, participates in the No Kings protest on Broadway Saturday.