Bruce Springsteen Headlines No Kings Rally in Twin Cities
Music icon Bruce Springsteen, often hailed as a liberal lion, took centre stage at the Minneapolis-St. Paul branch of the No Kings rallies on Saturday. These events unfolded simultaneously in cities across the United States, organised to voice staunch left-wing opposition to a range of Trump administration policies. Key grievances highlighted included the controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and escalating tensions with Iran.
Minneapolis: A Flashpoint for Anti-ICE Sentiment
The Twin Cities area, particularly Minneapolis, has emerged as a significant nexus for anti-ICE demonstrations since the beginning of the year. Public outrage against federal authorities intensified dramatically following the tragic deaths of two protestors, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, during encounters with law enforcement.
In a direct artistic response to this bloodshed, Springsteen—a longtime Democrat who opened Joe Biden's inauguration special and a vociferous critic of Donald Trump—released a song in January titled Streets of Minneapolis. He performed this poignant track live during Saturday's rally, held at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.
'Well, this past winter, federal troops brought death and terror to the streets of Minneapolis. They picked the wrong city,' Springsteen declared powerfully from the stage, as broadcast on the No Kings livestream. 'The power and the solidarity of the people of Minneapolis and of Minnesota was an inspiration to the entire country. Your strength and your commitment told us that this is still America.'
Jane Fonda's Emotional Tribute and Celebrity Solidarity
Joining Springsteen was the legendary actress and activist Jane Fonda, 88, whose half-century of leftist activism has paralleled her illustrious film career. Citing time constraints and travel schedules, Fonda opted not to deliver a full speech. Instead, she performed a deeply moving act by reading aloud a personal statement from Becca Good, the girlfriend of the late Renee Good.
Becca, often referred to as Renee's wife though not legally married, was present during the fatal encounter. She recounted yelling 'Drive, baby, drive!' as ICE agents surrounded their Honda Pilot, before Renee was fatally shot while accelerating forward.
'The reality is I am so heartbroken,' Becca's statement, read by Fonda, expressed. 'I miss my wife. The world now knows that my wife sparkled with sunshine and shone with kindness that is unmatched. We were robbed of an incredible human.' During her remarks, Fonda raised a power fist in solidarity before introducing singer Maggie Rogers.
Musical Legends Unite for Protest Anthems
Rogers, 31, took to the stage accompanied by folk music icon Joan Baez, 85, and renowned guitarist Tom Morello, 64. Morello, known for his work with Rage Against the Machine and tours with Springsteen's E Street Band, added his distinctive sound to the protest.
The trio delivered a stirring rendition of Bob Dylan's classic protest anthem, The Times They Are A-Changin'. In a minor historical slip, Baez mistakenly recalled performing this song at Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 March on Washington, where she actually sang We Shall Overcome.
Nationwide Demonstrations Attract High-Profile Support
The No Kings movement saw significant celebrity participation beyond Minnesota. In New York City, figures like Padma Lakshmi delivered speeches at press conferences, while Robert De Niro—a longstanding fierce critic of the Trump administration—marched through Manhattan sporting an 'I [heart] NY' pin.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles protests included comedian Kathy Griffin, who recently declared herself 'un-canceled' after the 2017 scandal involving a video depicting Trump's severed head in effigy. Griffin carried a sign denouncing ICE as 'Trump's lawless militia' and demanding 'Justice for Pretti and Good'.
In the Studio City suburb, actress Annette Bening joined demonstrators holding a cleverly worded sign featuring Mary Poppins. It read: 'Super Callous Fragile Nihilistic Extra Halitosis,' a parody meant to be sung to the tune of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. She was accompanied by fellow actor Edward James Olmos, known for roles in Blade Runner and Miami Vice.
These coordinated nationwide rallies underscored a deepening cultural and political divide, with high-profile artists and activists leveraging their platforms to challenge federal policies and commemorate those lost in the conflicts.
