Democracy Brigade members at the Medford I-35 overpass
Ron and Beth Gilthvedt and Laurie and DeWayne Jensen were at the I35 roundabout in Medford Sunday to get ready for their Democracy Brigade’s third protest at the location. Staff photo by Karen M. Jorgensen
A half dozen members of the Steele County Democracy Brigade were on the bridge overpass of I-35 at Medford Sunday afternoon with their signs and banners proclaiming No War and No Kings. A similar group was at the I-35 bridge overpass in Owatonna during the same 5 to 6 p.m. time frame.
Both groups were organized by the Steele County Indivisible group.
Sunday was the third time that group members have been on the Medford overpass this spring and summer, said Beth Gilthvedt, who organized both groups.
She said they expected the numbers of people attending the event might be a bit smaller because of the holiday weekend, but she was still pleased with the number of cars southbound on I-35 who honked their horns in support of the group’s action.
Members felt it was a good weekend to do their patriotic duty and express their disapproval of the actions of the U.S. government.
Both events on Sunday were part of the local Indivisible organization.
The group regularly holds events at Central Park in Owatonna as well as on Bridge Street in Owatonna.
For all events, organizers say, a core principle is a commitment to nonviolent action. They expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with their values.