This isn't just about a protest being canceled. It's part of a pattern that's been building for a while. You look at Aaron Bushnell, Luigi Mangione, Elias Rodriguez, Mohammad Soliman, and now Boelter... Different people, different ideologies and motives, but all reaching a point where they felt like no one in power was listening to them.
This isn't a defense or justification for violence. But maybe the people in power should pay attention to why it's happening more often instead of abusing that power.
The response from the state seems to be the same every time. More security, more surveillance, more silence around the full context. Palantir and Anduril keep getting more deeply embedded in public safety infrastructure, but no one is really asking what that means for democracy.
We should be creating more space for people to speak, organize, and be heard. Not shutting down protests while military parades go on as planned.
If people are losing faith in peaceful means to be heard, the solution isn’t to clamp down harder. These people should try actually listen and turn that into tangible policy.
WHY do you have guns. IN my ignorance I was taught (by Americans) that they have guns in case of a 'take-over' of their Governtment. This patently NOT true.
You mess up other countries and then do not want immigrants.
The extra security will not help. Folks have been radicalizing for years, allowing for advance planning in the case of highly intelligent people. I think one objective of this shooter is to escape, inspiring others to do the same. My assessment is that he has help.
I'm just back from the No Kings protest in St. Paul. The Walz warning was not aimed at the big event at the Capitol but at two much smaller marches planned for communities that are unsafe because of the manhunt for the killer of the state house speaker, Melissa Hortman, and her husband. The march in St. Paul was the biggest I've ever attended and that's going back to the 1960s! It was absolutely an incredible turnout. I'm not a big Walz fan but to suggest that he is somehow aping Trump is irresponsible. No one in politics comes close to Trump in terms of sheer . . . evil, for lack of a better word. He has broken every campaign promise he made during his campaign, and for no apparent reason beyond his addiction to creating turmoil. He is no Hitler but just as dangerous in his own way.
I wouldn’t want to attend a protest near where the gunman is on the loose. You are wading into conspiracy theory here, Ken.
The gunman escaped by going out the back door when police entered the front. What happened to covering both front and back doors to prevent an escape? In stressful times, ordinary procedures are often overlooked.
People are still going to make their own decisions, Ken. The movement apparently decided not to host rallies which would be wet dream targets for the gunman. Until he is neutralized, I would tell my kids not to attend.
Because I follow some school shootings, people are told to shelter in place while they catch the perps.
He was doing what every other elected would do because that is SOP, rally or not. He wouldn't have time, while in cirsis mode, to think outside the box. They train on shelter-in-place and, as a result,sheltering in place is the order.
None of this means that I endorse what Waltz ordered. It's just what they do.
I just saw a clip of the local police chief explaining that officers were sent to the lawmaker's house to check on her when they saw the fake cop coming out the front door. Gunfire was exchanged. So it wasn't a case of they knew the guy was there and they forgot to cover the back. At least he doesn't have his fake police car anymore.
Thanks for writing about this, Ken, but I think your thesis is missing the mark in a few ways:
1. The “king” people here in Minnesota and around the country are protesting is Trump, specifically in response to his military parade. Walz and the gov. departments recommending people not gather in large numbers during an active manhunt isn’t “king” behavior, it’s just a common-sense public safety advisory for a temporary situation.
2. Your comparison of liberty vs. safety, while putting greater value on the former, eerily echoes what a ton of anti-COVID safety measure people were whining about during the height of the pandemic. Yeah, liberty is important, but again, this is an active public safety threat where government recommendations … just make sense?
3. Noting the No King protests are occurring elsewhere in the country and contrasting that to ones Walz et. al. are wanting called off doesn’t make sense. The gunman is on foot IN MINNESOTA, not D.C. So, it makes sense for protests near that area to be impacted.
I live and work not far from where these shootings happened. While on break at work earlier, a few co-workers and I were watching local TV cover the situation live. One of my co-workers has to drive through one of those areas to get home. We were pretty on edge today, but none of us was going “ugh, but my LIBERTY!” 🤷🏻♂️
It seems you and other folks agreeing with you here in the comments are detached from the issue in ways I and other Minnesotans aren’t. This is in my area, and it’s a bit scary.
I’m not a big fan of police, feds, or the panopticon security state either, but I also don’t like gunmen mowing down people in their homes, especially so close to where I live. And expecting life to go on like it didn’t happen is delusional.
Again, I appreciate you reporting on the situation, but this particular take just feels off for me.
While noting 1) that today's WSJ reported that some number of far-right webholes posted calling for violence against No Kings protests, 2) that the MN murderer's possible accomplices are unknown, and 3) that the MN murderer is at large; I'm sorry that Walz didn't promise further protection for the protest and an unrelenting hunt for the offender(s.)
How do you realistically expect him to protect protestors at numerous sites with an active manhunt going on? I don’t know the extent of the state’s resources to deal with both situations simultaneously in an effective manner, but it seems prudent to focus on apprehending the assassin at large. Your disappointment sounds kinda nitpicky, as is the tone of the article. Tensions are simmering and reasonable minds can differ as to the best course of action without exemplifying a failure of leadership.
Right. It is impossible to cover all of the protests on such short notice while man hunting for this asshole. Common sense says Stay Home. Even if you miss one opportunity to exercise First Amendment rights, you live to speak many times.
I heard, via Hasan Piker, the possible assassin has been caught. He's security cop (with guns to defend the property of rich people). He drove a company car that could be mistaken for cop car. Finally he's wearing company issued uniform that closely resembled real one
I'm going to cut Walz some slack here. If he didn't repeat the warning and there was a mass shooting at one of the protests, there would be hell to pay.
I don't believe that he actually prevented the rallies from being held.
I believe that was more of a knee jerk reaction, and yes, a missed opportunity. On X, even early this morning, many right winger were pushing the lie that it was a "left on left" attack.
"Sometimes, yo know what your life is worth, you have to risk it".
In Wisconsin Rapids, We had over 350 people with signs against Trump. there were also 6, from one family, doing their best to try and interrupt. we ignored them completely, never "taking the bait".
they were not worth it. We are the Party of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion... and WE PROVED IT TO THEM.
I have watched Tim Walz lately as he speaks to people at Town Halls. One was in a Republican district, where the "representative," doesn't meet his people face to face. He started by saying he wasn't there to talk trash about that person, but to talk about healthcare, education etc.
He mentioned more than once that Democrats need to move to Medicare For All, asap. Embracing anything less is not worthy of your vote.
A white guy populist from the midwest, who called the Trump talk "crazy," during the last Presidential Campaign. A veteran, a teacher, a dad. He could be the elixir for 2028.
On the shootings: No way he got to Minneapolis without help, where is his wife and what does she know (she is involved in his security business), and who are employees of that business? This guy has help, and I’m guessing years in the planning.
"the no-protest warning strikes me as a panicked misstep that results in the very undemocratic tendency it sought to protest." This is a misstep, only if you don't believe we live under the Uniparty. Otherwise, it is exactly what one would expect.
Gov. Walz is one of the least uniparty Dems ever. I'm sure he's freaked out and, as someone else points out here, he was just speaking to the people in the area where the gunman was loose.
That's certainly a possibility. The Uniparty couldn't exist if, among those with a clear view of what mischief they are doing, there weren't decent people involved with keeping it going for entirely well-intentioned reasons.
This isn't just about a protest being canceled. It's part of a pattern that's been building for a while. You look at Aaron Bushnell, Luigi Mangione, Elias Rodriguez, Mohammad Soliman, and now Boelter... Different people, different ideologies and motives, but all reaching a point where they felt like no one in power was listening to them.
This isn't a defense or justification for violence. But maybe the people in power should pay attention to why it's happening more often instead of abusing that power.
The response from the state seems to be the same every time. More security, more surveillance, more silence around the full context. Palantir and Anduril keep getting more deeply embedded in public safety infrastructure, but no one is really asking what that means for democracy.
We should be creating more space for people to speak, organize, and be heard. Not shutting down protests while military parades go on as planned.
If people are losing faith in peaceful means to be heard, the solution isn’t to clamp down harder. These people should try actually listen and turn that into tangible policy.
Couldn't agree more.
Excellent comment. To me: Shutting down protest is making things worse.
YOU with your multiple guns in the USA.
I thought you had guns to STOP the 'takeover' of Government.
It seems this is not true.
You kill kids in schools BUT you dare not break out your guns. Cowards.
WTF? Do you believe that Americans should grab their guns and…march? Shoot who to “stop the takeover of Government”? Utter nonsense.
At some point that will be on the agenda.when peaceful protests are ignored or beset by over enthusiastic cops, marines, national guard, what is left?
Why not? You have NO healthcare/your citizens can't afford rent/your old people are dying on the streets!
IF you do NOT takeover your Government NOW you will be voting for the duopoly.
WHY do you have guns. IN my ignorance I was taught (by Americans) that they have guns in case of a 'take-over' of their Governtment. This patently NOT true.
You mess up other countries and then do not want immigrants.
GET out there, use your guns you milksops.
I couldn’t say it any better.
The extra security will not help. Folks have been radicalizing for years, allowing for advance planning in the case of highly intelligent people. I think one objective of this shooter is to escape, inspiring others to do the same. My assessment is that he has help.
Bullshit. Americans have watched too many Movies. You will do NOTHING to stop your Government.
Relevance?
I lived in the USA for 20yrs too long.
I always wondered why Americans had guns.
I was informed by many people that: IF the Government tried to 'shut down' the people the people would come out with guns blaring!
Can someone please tell me: Why do so many people have guns in the USA?
Is it to kill schoolkids?
It still went on. Minnesotans are fierce!
cool!
I'm just back from the No Kings protest in St. Paul. The Walz warning was not aimed at the big event at the Capitol but at two much smaller marches planned for communities that are unsafe because of the manhunt for the killer of the state house speaker, Melissa Hortman, and her husband. The march in St. Paul was the biggest I've ever attended and that's going back to the 1960s! It was absolutely an incredible turnout. I'm not a big Walz fan but to suggest that he is somehow aping Trump is irresponsible. No one in politics comes close to Trump in terms of sheer . . . evil, for lack of a better word. He has broken every campaign promise he made during his campaign, and for no apparent reason beyond his addiction to creating turmoil. He is no Hitler but just as dangerous in his own way.
He's not aping Trump at all - like i said, Walz's advisory seemed genuinely concerned about people's safety
Bollocks.
I wouldn’t want to attend a protest near where the gunman is on the loose. You are wading into conspiracy theory here, Ken.
The gunman escaped by going out the back door when police entered the front. What happened to covering both front and back doors to prevent an escape? In stressful times, ordinary procedures are often overlooked.
Notifying the public that a gunman is on the loose makes sense but why tell them not to protest? Can't people make that judgment on their own?
People are still going to make their own decisions, Ken. The movement apparently decided not to host rallies which would be wet dream targets for the gunman. Until he is neutralized, I would tell my kids not to attend.
Because I follow some school shootings, people are told to shelter in place while they catch the perps.
He was doing what every other elected would do because that is SOP, rally or not. He wouldn't have time, while in cirsis mode, to think outside the box. They train on shelter-in-place and, as a result,sheltering in place is the order.
None of this means that I endorse what Waltz ordered. It's just what they do.
Obviously not.
I just saw a clip of the local police chief explaining that officers were sent to the lawmaker's house to check on her when they saw the fake cop coming out the front door. Gunfire was exchanged. So it wasn't a case of they knew the guy was there and they forgot to cover the back. At least he doesn't have his fake police car anymore.
Thanks for writing about this, Ken, but I think your thesis is missing the mark in a few ways:
1. The “king” people here in Minnesota and around the country are protesting is Trump, specifically in response to his military parade. Walz and the gov. departments recommending people not gather in large numbers during an active manhunt isn’t “king” behavior, it’s just a common-sense public safety advisory for a temporary situation.
2. Your comparison of liberty vs. safety, while putting greater value on the former, eerily echoes what a ton of anti-COVID safety measure people were whining about during the height of the pandemic. Yeah, liberty is important, but again, this is an active public safety threat where government recommendations … just make sense?
3. Noting the No King protests are occurring elsewhere in the country and contrasting that to ones Walz et. al. are wanting called off doesn’t make sense. The gunman is on foot IN MINNESOTA, not D.C. So, it makes sense for protests near that area to be impacted.
I live and work not far from where these shootings happened. While on break at work earlier, a few co-workers and I were watching local TV cover the situation live. One of my co-workers has to drive through one of those areas to get home. We were pretty on edge today, but none of us was going “ugh, but my LIBERTY!” 🤷🏻♂️
It seems you and other folks agreeing with you here in the comments are detached from the issue in ways I and other Minnesotans aren’t. This is in my area, and it’s a bit scary.
I’m not a big fan of police, feds, or the panopticon security state either, but I also don’t like gunmen mowing down people in their homes, especially so close to where I live. And expecting life to go on like it didn’t happen is delusional.
Again, I appreciate you reporting on the situation, but this particular take just feels off for me.
While noting 1) that today's WSJ reported that some number of far-right webholes posted calling for violence against No Kings protests, 2) that the MN murderer's possible accomplices are unknown, and 3) that the MN murderer is at large; I'm sorry that Walz didn't promise further protection for the protest and an unrelenting hunt for the offender(s.)
How do you realistically expect him to protect protestors at numerous sites with an active manhunt going on? I don’t know the extent of the state’s resources to deal with both situations simultaneously in an effective manner, but it seems prudent to focus on apprehending the assassin at large. Your disappointment sounds kinda nitpicky, as is the tone of the article. Tensions are simmering and reasonable minds can differ as to the best course of action without exemplifying a failure of leadership.
Right. It is impossible to cover all of the protests on such short notice while man hunting for this asshole. Common sense says Stay Home. Even if you miss one opportunity to exercise First Amendment rights, you live to speak many times.
I heard, via Hasan Piker, the possible assassin has been caught. He's security cop (with guns to defend the property of rich people). He drove a company car that could be mistaken for cop car. Finally he's wearing company issued uniform that closely resembled real one
I'm going to cut Walz some slack here. If he didn't repeat the warning and there was a mass shooting at one of the protests, there would be hell to pay.
I don't believe that he actually prevented the rallies from being held.
WHAT exactly the difference between Dems and Repubs.?
I believe that was more of a knee jerk reaction, and yes, a missed opportunity. On X, even early this morning, many right winger were pushing the lie that it was a "left on left" attack.
"Sometimes, yo know what your life is worth, you have to risk it".
In Wisconsin Rapids, We had over 350 people with signs against Trump. there were also 6, from one family, doing their best to try and interrupt. we ignored them completely, never "taking the bait".
they were not worth it. We are the Party of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion... and WE PROVED IT TO THEM.
To paraphrase @bronzehammer Tim Walz should knit himself a car and crash into the fucking river with it.
Because he…said to stay home? Is a Democrat?
I have watched Tim Walz lately as he speaks to people at Town Halls. One was in a Republican district, where the "representative," doesn't meet his people face to face. He started by saying he wasn't there to talk trash about that person, but to talk about healthcare, education etc.
He mentioned more than once that Democrats need to move to Medicare For All, asap. Embracing anything less is not worthy of your vote.
A white guy populist from the midwest, who called the Trump talk "crazy," during the last Presidential Campaign. A veteran, a teacher, a dad. He could be the elixir for 2028.
On the shootings: No way he got to Minneapolis without help, where is his wife and what does she know (she is involved in his security business), and who are employees of that business? This guy has help, and I’m guessing years in the planning.
He knows what law enforcement is going to do next also.
"the no-protest warning strikes me as a panicked misstep that results in the very undemocratic tendency it sought to protest." This is a misstep, only if you don't believe we live under the Uniparty. Otherwise, it is exactly what one would expect.
Gov. Walz is one of the least uniparty Dems ever. I'm sure he's freaked out and, as someone else points out here, he was just speaking to the people in the area where the gunman was loose.
That's certainly a possibility. The Uniparty couldn't exist if, among those with a clear view of what mischief they are doing, there weren't decent people involved with keeping it going for entirely well-intentioned reasons.
You got the manifesto yet?
nope
Good luck and godspeed! If anyone can do it, it's you!
Yes, you guys have hit on all the liberal talking points oozing with the typical Democrat hypocrisy
😊👍