Springsteen hails Minnesota as 'inspiration' at 'No Kings' rally amid outcry over ICE killings
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA: Rock icon Bruce Springsteen called Minnesota “an inspiration to the entire country” as he addressed a large 'No Kings' rally at the State Capitol in St Paul.
Speaking to a crowd of demonstrators gathered as part of nationwide protests here on Saturday, March 28, Springsteen praised the resolve of residents amid months of unrest linked to federal immigration enforcement.
“Your strength and your commitment told us that this is still America,” he said. “This reactionary nightmare and these invasions of American cities will not stand.”
The rally in St Paul is one of dozens of coordinated protests across the country, reflecting mounting opposition to the Trump administration’s policies.
Tribute to victims of Minneapolis shootings
Springsteen paid tribute to Renée Good and Alex Pretti, whose deaths during federal immigration operations earlier this year have become a rallying cry for protesters.
Both were killed in separate incidents involving federal agents in Minneapolis in January, triggering widespread demonstrations and legal challenges.
“Their bravery, their sacrifice and their names will not be forgotten,” Springsteen said, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
The killings have intensified scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics and fueled demands for accountability, with Minnesota officials now engaged in legal battles with federal agencies over access to evidence.
Protest anthem takes center stage
Springsteen also confirmed he would perform his protest song 'Streets of Minneapolis' at the flagship rally.
The song, released earlier this year, directly references the federal immigration crackdown and paints a stark picture of unrest in the city. Its lyrics criticize what the singer describes as heavy-handed enforcement by federal authorities.
Springsteen dedicated the performance to the people of Minneapolis and to the memory of Good and Pretti, further cementing the song’s place as an anthem of the protest movement.
High-profile leaders join the demonstration
The St Paul rally has drawn a mix of political leaders, activists and cultural figures. Among those expected to speak are Tim Walz, Ilhan Omar and Bernie Sanders.
They are joined by prominent voices from the arts, including Jane Fonda and Joan Baez, highlighting the broad coalition backing the demonstrations.
Participants marched from three separate locations before converging at the State Capitol, underscoring the scale and coordination of the protest.
Minnesota at the heart of national movement
Minnesota has emerged as a focal point in the broader 'No Kings' movement, largely due to the fallout from the January shootings and subsequent federal-state tensions.
The deaths of Good and Pretti, both US citizens, sparked nationwide protests and renewed debate over immigration enforcement, civil liberties and the use of force by federal agents.
As demonstrations continue across the country, Springsteen’s message in St Paul encapsulated the mood of many protesters: that Minnesota’s response has become symbolic of a wider struggle.
