The AAPI community isn’t just watching from the sidelines—it’s leading the charge. As the third national "No Kings" day of action approaches this Saturday, March 28, 2026, the movement to oppose authoritarian overreach and corruption has found its heartbeat in the Midwest.
For the first time, St. Paul, Minnesota, will serve as the nationwide flagship for the protests. While the movement anticipates over 3,000 local events across all 50 states, all eyes are on the Twin Cities, where the AAPI community is mobilizing at historic levels to protect their neighbors from what they describe as "authoritarian attacks".
Why the Twin Cities?
Organizers like Stop AAPI Hate and the Minnesota 50501 movement have highlighted a sharp rise in federal militarization in Minnesota. "With masked ICE agents invading our neighborhoods and ripping our families apart, there’s too much at stake for AAPI communities to sit on the sidelines," the coalition stated.
The flagship rally at the Minnesota State Capitol is expected to draw over 80,000 people, featuring a heavy AAPI presence from the local Hmong and Vietnamese communities who are directly impacted by recent immigration enforcement escalations.
Thereare plenty of reasons to join the events from the way American democracy is being torn apart bit by bit, the US' dwindling standings in the international community,the mass pardons for the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, the moral decay permeating throughout society best exemplified by the coverup surrounding the Epstein files and the way the regime encourages the division of the America by lies and hate.
Here the key reasons for AAPI participation
Protection of Immigrant Families: AAPI organizations like Stop AAPI Hate are highlighting the direct threat posed by "masked ICE agents" invading neighborhoods and "ripping families apart".
Opposition to "Authoritarian" Policies: The movement seeks to reject the "Trump regime's authoritarian attacks" on democracy and freedoms, specifically protesting mass deportation raids and militarized force.
Addressing Economic Concerns: Recent polling shows a strong majority of AAPI adults view the current administration as harmful to their economic well-being, specifically regarding high costs of living and healthcare.
Protecting Civil Rights: The events serve as a platform to speak out against restrictive voting laws, such as the "SAVE Act," and other attempts to limit free speech and constitutional rights.
St. Paul & Minneapolis Action Schedule
The flagship event on Saturday includes three major marches converging on the Capitol:
- 12:00 PM: Marches Begin
- Harriet Island Regional Park: 1.5-mile march.
- St. Paul College: 0.9-mile march.
- Western Sculpture Park: 0.7-mile march.
- 1:00 PM: Pre-Rally Music featuring Bruce Springsteen and Joan Baez.
- 2:00 PM: Main Program at the Capitol Mall with Senator Bernie Sanders and AAPI leader and state officials like Kaohly Her, St. Paul's first Hmong mayor.
AAPI participation across major cities
While St. Paul is the epicenter, AAPI activists are making their presence felt in other major hubs:
Los Angeles & San Francisco: Over 320 events are planned in California, with massive turnouts expected at L.A. City Hall and San Francisco's Embarcadero Plaza. AAPI groups here are focusing on defending the right to unionize and ending "police crimes" in immigrant neighborhoods.
Chicago: AAPI members of the Coalition Against the Trump Agenda will march to defend reproductive rights and expand immigrant protections.
Atlanta: Thousands will gather at Memorial Drive Greenway for a 7-mile march to the Georgia State Capitol, emphasizing the fight against anti-Asian hate and foreign policy escalations.
New York City: Dozens of events are being staged throughout the city Saturday and Sunday. The main No Kings “mass march” will step off in Midtown at 2 p.m. Saturday, according to organizers. Demonstrators are expected to gather at Seventh Avenue and Central Park South. Organizers say it’s expected to wrap up around 4 p.m.
FYI: To find a "No Kings" event near you, click here.
This is the third "No Kings" protest since Trump has taken office and is expected to be the largest drawing millions of Americans into the streets to protest the Trump regime's immigration and economic policies and worsening international relations, including the ongoing war against Iran.
The message from the AAPI community is clear: this country belongs to the people, not to kings or tyrants.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.
No comments:
Post a Comment