It is estimated that 7 million people participated in No King rallies nation wide, according to various media outlets. This is an increase from the first No King rallies held last June which included 5 million people protesting. Organizers behind the rallies describe them as protests against President Donald Trump’s authoritarian agenda. No Kings title is a reference to previous online posts from the Trump administration depicting the president as a king.

The New Ulm rally began in German Park, Saturday with direction from organizers. Indivisible New Ulm chapter founder Garret Ebling said the main goal of New Ulm’s rally was to show solidarity.

“Hopefully with the large numbers today we are making a statement together that what is going on with the federal government is not OK,” he said.

Around 150 protestors walked from German Park to the intersection of Broadway and Center. There they were joined by another 100 protestors. By the end of the rally at least 310 were standing along Broadway. Several of the protestors took comfort in the high turnout.

Around 150 protestors walked from German Park to the intersection of Broadway and Center. There they were joined by another 100 protestors. By the end of the rally at least 310 were standing along Broadway. Several of the protestors took comfort in the high turnout.

Ken and Carolyn Varland describe the turnout as energizing.

“The more people you see, the more confident you feel about what we’re doing, calling attention to the things happening that are not beneficial to democracy,” Carolyn Varland said.

Carolyn carried a sign featuring a photo of her father Sgt. William Hofmeister who saw combat during WWII. The sign read “he fought for democracy against fascism.”

Carolyn Varland said that is how she feels about these rallies, saying this is a fight for democracy.

On the other side of the street, Joni Steinbach attended the rally wearing her father’s old WWII jacket. She too felt it was important the public the country once fought against fascism. Steinbach was optimistic the majority of people supported standing up against authoritarian rule.

From left to right: Emmie Turner, Lilah Hein, Amanda Harkcom and Alex Schottle holds signs during the New Ulm No Kings rally. Emmie Turner said her reason for attending was out of compassion and empathy for others. “It isn’t just about me and what is happening in my backyard,” she said.

“It gives you hope,” Sheldon Rieke said of the large crowds attending the rally. His main reason for attending the rally was to push the “No Kings” message, but said did have concerns about the growing attempts to restrict the rights of others.

Anne Rieke, a retired Special Ed teacher attended the rally to protest funding cuts.

“I am here for all those people with disabilities whose funding was taken away,” she said “I am here to be a voice for them.”

Susan Enwright is a 24 year resident of New Ulm but said she had to protest against “the disturbing trend of authoritarian rule.”

This is the first rally she had attended in New Ulm and she was concerned about the direction the country was going, but admitted she was optimistic things would improve.

“I am really hopeful,” Enwright said. “We got through the 60s when its seemed like our country got through it. I think the institutions will hold up.

The New Ulm protest also brought people in from outside the community. Marilyn Mueller came from St. James and brought along her neighbor Orlin Howe. Both had concerns about the country moving towards authoritarianism.

“The biggest concern is the destruction of the constitution,” Howe said. “If we follow the law and the Constitution, everything else will be taken care of.”

Emmie Turner said her reason for attending was out of compassion and empathy for others.

“It isn’t just about me and what is happening in my backyard,” she said.

Turner said during the rally she heard saw some counter protesting but for the most part it was positive energy with many drivers honking and waving in support.

Ebling was happy with the turnout for the rally. He believed the number of protestors was growing.

“More and more people are being affected negatively by Trump’s executive orders and policy and that’s only going to get worse as more people suffer from health care cost and see more neighbors being deported.”

He believed the deployment of military units to cities like Portland was a big concern for many.

“Seeing armed military members walking down cities street is the stuff of third world countries,” Ebling said. “That’s not what America is about. So we’re here to remind people about what America is about.”

Several of the people attending the rally wore costumes to represent solidarity with protestors in Portland, Oregon who were seen wearing inflatable frog suits.

John Arnoldy attended the rally in a donkey costumes in honor of Portland. Arnoldy said he had many friends in Oregon from his time living out there and he was concerned. He actually attended the first No Kings rally in Salem, Oregon back in June.

Arnoldy said it was important to him to attend as many protest rallies as possible. Right after the New Ulm rally, he went to the one in St. Peter.

Pat Booker was another costumed protestor. She wore a frog hat in reference to the Portland frogs.

Booker said that Trump’s excuse for sending the National Guard to Portland was because of the city’s high crime rate, but the citizens response was to dress up in silly costumes to deflate that message.

“I love the way the message of saying ‘you don’t know us. This is who we are,'” she said.

Booker said the No Kings rallies are not being held by violent people who hate America, but by people who love it.

“I love America and I am concerned about it,” she said. “I am not going to stand back, nor should anyone else. The rally is about loving the country enough to stand up and if it has to be in a frog suit, so be it.”