Excerps from an article in the current
TwinCities.comWALZ ACTIVATES GUARD
Walz activated the National Guard “for possible civil unrest,” according to an emergency order he signed Wednesday.
“We will always support Minnesotans’ First Amendment rights to peacefully protest, but
anyone involved in violent, illegal activity will be held accountable,*” Walz said. “We are tracking reports and monitoring the situation closely to enhance our response and change tactics as needed.”
*I guess he was out of town last summer...This sounds more and more like someone trying to light the Reichstag on fire.
‘NO VERIFIED THREATS’
St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell on Wednesday sought to reassure people.
“Like you, we saw what happened last week and have heard rumors this week,” but he said they’ve talked to federal authorities “and can say that we’re not aware of any verified threats at this time.”
EVENTS — REAL AND ‘FAKE’
Officially, two approved events are planned at the state Capitol: a “Freedom Fest” on Saturday and a “Sunday Church Service” on Sunday, according to permit applications approved by the state Department of Administration.
The applicant listed for both events, Becky Strohmeier, is a frequent organizer of right-wing events and helped organize last week’s event that featured violent rhetoric.
Strohmeier couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday evening, but it was unclear what she envisioned for the events. In a video, she actually implored her followers: “I just want everybody to make sure they do not come to the state Capitol here Sunday.”
That sentiment, she said, was in response to a flier circulating on Facebook that purported to advertise an “armed march on Capitol Hill & all state capitols” but was being widely denounced by right-wing groups.
The Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance, for example, a Minnesota group, called it a “PHONY RALLY” in a message to its Facebook followers, describing it as “a trap for gun owners and conservatives.”
The group’s president, Joe Olson, said in an interview Wednesday, “If I could give you one quote, I would say, ‘For God’s sake, don’t go.’ ”