It was supposed to be a day of vibrant protest and collective voice. On Saturday, June 14, 2025, thousands flocked to downtown Chico, California, to join the “No Kings” demonstration, a local march that was part of a staggering 2,000 similar events planned across all 50 states. The air buzzed with purpose, as citizens gathered to counteract a military parade set to take place in Washington D.C. and voice their deep concerns over the current administration.
The turnout in Chico was nothing short of remarkable. Organizers initially estimated 4,000 protestors, with some even believing the number swelled to around 6,000 people. This was a “huge turn-out of all kinds of people,” according to Laurel Yorks, a volunteer and organizer for the event. Nellie Coffy, 30, expressed awe, saying, “This is amazing to see this many people out here in a small town”.
Leading a dozen people in contrasting black and neon pink shirts that cleverly read “Re-Sisters” was Leeanne Jensworld, a 68-year-old woman who helped unite the group. What began as a small support group for women opposing President Trump’s election had blossomed into an “action-based organization” that stages “pop-up protests” against issues they find “reprehensible”. Jensworld spoke of the powerful emotional lift of such gatherings: “It’s the energy we get when we gather together. It’s very uplifting; it lifts your heart and your soul to be around others with all the same purpose and goals”.
The march, organized by Indivisible Chico, kicked off earlier than scheduled at 10 a.m. due to the sheer size of the crowd. Protesters made their way through a convenient three-block loop multiple times, moving from the Fred Davis Municipal Center down Fifth Street, around City Plaza, up Broadway, and onto Second Street before returning. Along the route, car horns blared in a “cacophony” of support, with many drivers rolling down their windows to join the chants. While there were “occasional call[s] of support for Trump’s administration and policies,” they were largely drowned out by the protestors’ unified voice.
Protesters like Suzanne Bresine-Hutton, 62, found solace in the numbers, noting that the crowd was a powerful reminder that “decency” and “respect” were “alive and well within this community” and that people weren’t alone in their concerns. Jo Jackson, 35, articulated the sentiment perfectly: “I think one person’s voice might not make that loud of a noise,” she said, “but getting a whole crowd together might make some difference”. Even Teri Murphy, a 73-year-old from Washington D.C. who generally leaned Republican, attended the protest, calling it a “big deal” for her due to her concerns about Trump’s actions towards immigrants, which she viewed as a “slippery slope”.
A Shadow Cast from Minnesota: Political Violence Strikes Home
But as the cheers echoed through Chico’s streets, a chilling story was unfolding far away, back in the very state that inspired some of the protest’s themes. Early that same Saturday morning, Minnesota was rocked by a series of “targeted” shootings that authorities quickly labeled as “politically motivated assassination[s]”.
In Brooklyn Park, State Representative Melissa Hortman, 55, a former House speaker and a formidable Democratic leader, and her husband, Mark, were tragically shot and killed in their home. Simultaneously, in Champlin, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times at their residence. Yvette Hoffman reportedly shielded their adult daughter from gunfire, a testament to her courage. While the Hoffmans were in “difficult condition” after surgery, officials expressed “cautious optimism” about their recovery.
The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, was still at large. What made these attacks particularly unsettling was Boelter’s method: he posed as a police officer, driving an SUV “equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle” and wearing what appeared to be a police vest, badge, and taser. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley stated that the suspect “used the trust of this badge and this uniform to manipulate their way into the home”.
In a chilling discovery, police found a “manifesto” inside Boelter’s abandoned vehicle. This document reportedly listed “many lawmakers and other officials” as targets, including both Hortman and Hoffman. A Minnesota official, speaking anonymously, revealed that the writings also contained information targeting prominent lawmakers who were outspoken in favor of abortion rights. Furthermore, the vehicle contained “No Kings” flyers, linking the suspect’s alleged motives, at least superficially, to the very movement taking place across the country.
A Nation Reacts and a Call for Caution
The news sent shockwaves, particularly through Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz activated the State Emergency Operations Center and emphasized that “all forms of political violence” must be stood against. The FBI quickly joined the massive manhunt, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter’s arrest and conviction. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer even requested “immediately increase[d] security” for Minnesota’s Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith.
Out of an abundance of caution, State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic urged people in Minnesota not to attend any “No Kings” protests, citing the flyers found in the suspect’s car. Consequently, organizers in Minnesota announced that all demonstrations in the state were canceled. However, some still showed up to the Capitol and other areas in the Twin Cities.
This horrific incident underscored a growing national concern about the rise of political violence and intimidation. It was a stark reminder that even as communities came together for peaceful protest, a darker, more dangerous force lurked in the shadows. The vibrancy of the “No Kings” movement was undeniably tempered by the chilling reality of what had transpired in Minnesota, turning a day of unified voice into a moment of collective grief and heightened vigilance.