By: Jacob Orledge, Michael Achterling, Jeff Beach and Amy Dalrymple
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakotans who joined No Kings rallies in 11 cities Saturday pushed back on criticism that the events were anti-American.
“I love America, I love the Constitution, and I love what this country represents,” said Patrick McNally, 36, a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S. who joined a rally outside the North Dakota Capitol.
Thousands protested Trump administration policies at rallies in Fargo and Bismarck with smaller events held in Grand Forks, Jamestown, Bottineau, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Williston, Minot and Medora. Some communities reported larger crowds than similar events in June, while others said windy weather deterred some participants.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson characterized the No Kings movement held in 2,600 cities as the “hate America rally.” Closer to home, North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer called rally participants “left-wing nut jobs” in a statement last week.
Many North Dakotans who participated raised concerns about health care, including cuts to Medicaid and expiring subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, while others protested tariffs that are hurting farmers or advocated for protecting due process for immigrants.
“I’m very passionate about what’s happening in our country, so that is why I am protesting,” said Jessie Smette of Fargo, who joined a rally outside of City Hall. “Not because I have nothing better to do, and not because I’m getting paid to do it, but because I think it’s important work.”
Trygve Hammer, a former Democratic-NPL Party U.S. House candidate, highlighted during a speech in Williston comments made by Republican lawmakers criticizing No Kings participants as far-left extremists who don’t value the foundational principles of the country.
“That is exactly wrong,” Hammer said in an interview after the event, which drew about 100 to Williston’s Harmon Park. “That’s exactly what we’re doing is standing up for those foundational truths.”
Bismarck rally participant Ann Mitchell, 57, is worried about the impacts of Trump administration tariffs and trade policies on her family’s farm near Pettibone, North Dakota. Mitchell said her husband’s family has farmed the land for generations, but now fears they could lose everything.
“We can’t sell our soybeans. We can’t sell our corn. Next year we don’t know what we’re gonna do,” Mitchell said.
Beth Larson-Steckler, a 55-year-old Bismarck resident, said she has two chronically ill children who depend on Medicare for medication that can cost $1,000 a month. She wants the federal government to do more to protect health care and improve the existing system.
“Congress needs to work together,” Larson-Steckler said. “They’re not working together. They’re pointing fingers. They’re wasting time. They’re not working for us.”
Across the street from the Bismarck protest, a handful of counter-protesters gathered at the North Dakota Republican Party headquarters with a sign stating “Jesus is Our King” and waving an American flag with Trump’s face on it.
Thousands joined the Fargo demonstration, including Clyde Hughes, a veteran who drove about 45 minutes from Wahpeton. He said the Republican Party is taking the country in the wrong direction.
“We’re cutting social programs just to give billionaires tax cuts,” Hughes said.
He said he is grateful for the health care he gets through Veterans Affairs, though added, “You shouldn’t have to join the service to get decent health care,” he said.
Julie Brummund, an Air Force veteran from Fargo, said she is concerned about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth eroding the freedom of the press.
“I see American citizens justifying that and it just baffles my mind,” said Brummund, whose military service included an assignment in public affairs.
Rick Loftus of Indivisible Fargo, who was volunteering to help with crowd control, said Fargo had a larger turnout than the No Kings rally in June. But he was also pleased to hear about strong turnouts around the state.
“It’s really these smaller places having events that’s inspiring to me,” Loftus said.
A Grand Forks event attracted about 600 people, the largest protest since Trump was reelected, said organizer Julie Olson. She described the event as a “pro-America” rally, but said participants objected to Trump “acting with impunity.”
Nikki Tickerhoof, an organizer for the No Kings protest in Minot, said about 400 people attended the event that she said seemed like a block party with people handing out treats and wearing Halloween costumes.
About 150 people joined an event on Main Street in Valley City, with almost all of them emphasizing their love for America, said Vicki Voldal Rosenau, one of the organizers. Gail Pederson, a participant, said attendees also raised concerns about expiring subsidies for the Affordable Care Act and a lack of due process through immigration detentions.
“While that may not be a big thing in our neck of the woods, it certainly can affect us all,” Pederson said.
In Jamestown, organizers estimated about 250 people gathered near Mill Hill. Some who marched with signs had concerns about tariffs and the trade war, said Mike Weatherly, one of the organizers.
“Those things are hurting our farmers and they are finally starting to see it, which is terrible,” Weatherly said.
The demonstration remained peaceful, but one woman told participants to go back where they came from.
“I’m right here. I’m right where I came from,” Weatherly said.
Approximately 100 people joined a No Kings protest in Devils Lake, organizers said, representing a broad cross section of the community. Veterans, farmers, teachers, clergy and others participated in the event that remained peaceful except for vociferous chants of “USA” that Nancy Lundon said rang out.
“It wasn’t just Democrats,” Lundon said. “It was just people who are concerned about things as they are and what’s to come.”
About 25 people waved American flags during a rally in Bottineau, including some who traveled from Rolette and Westhope, said organizer Carol Wendel.
“We’re here because we love America,” Wendel said. “And this is not the America we love.”
Eight residents of Medora decided to hold their own No Kings rally outside Theodore Roosevelt National Park rather than drive to an event in Dickinson.
“We’re all so sad that our national parks are closed,” said Sandy Baertsch of Medora.
While the park remains open during the federal government shutdown, the visitor center is closed.
“We’ve seen lots of people come and are disappointed by the locked doors,” she said.
Baertsch said the group is calling on North Dakota’s congressional delegation to represent the state’s residents and farmers “instead of just doing whatever Trump asks, no matter what it is.”
Lucas Roy, 24, and Margaret Windingstad, 23, emphasized the need to protect public lands during the Bismarck event.
“They’re not for sale. They shouldn’t be auctioned off for private uses,” Roy said.
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