No Kings Twin Cities Announces Live Local Music Pre-Program

On Saturday, March 28, more than two dozen Minnesota musicians will open No Kings Twin Cities with local bands, soloists, and choruses welcoming audiences at two kickoff marches, as well as at the Capital. 

No Kings Twin Cities is the national flagship event and will highlight national as well as local speakers and performers. The pre-programs center hometown musicians, with a range of sounds from an Indigenous soloist to the Minnesota Singing Resistance. These artists use their talents and music to spread messages of hope, call out injustice, and inspire all of us to live with joy and purpose.

The local music pre-programs start at 11 AM CT at Saint Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave., and Harriet Island, 110 Harriet Island Rd., both of which are kickoff march locations.

Harriet Island’s live local lineup includes: (not in order of appearance)

  • Katy Vernon, British-born lead of new Femme-forward rock/pop band Favourite Girl

  • Jillian Rae, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist with an eye on what’s happening in Minneapolis

  • The Silent Treatment, raw punk power shining a light on seedy underbelly and what needs to be done

  • Touissant Morrison, actor, prominent social activist who rocks

  • Poison Ivy and the People, upcoming band with strong energy and unique perspective

  • Corey Medina & Brothers, Native-led blues rock band from Northern Minnesota

  • Minnesota Singing Resistance, a grassroots movement using music to peacefully protest ICE actions and promote community solidarity

Saint Paul College’s live local lineup includes: (not in order of appearance)

  • Emmett Doyle, union carpenter, musician and songwriter who draws from Irish roots

  • Cindy Lawson, feminist musical icon from Minneapolis with no holds barred

  • Sean Anonymous, Minneapolis-based rapper renowned for his dynamic energy 

  • Jaedyn James, outspoken, body-positive, powerhouse singer-songwriter

  • Christy Costello & The CC Club, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, mover and shaker in the Minnesota music scene

  • Surly Grrl, a queercore/protest punk band fueled by rage, passion, and politically-driven lyrics

  • Minnesota Singing Resistance, a grassroots movement using music to peacefully protest ICE actions and promote community solidarity

At both Harriet Island and Saint Paul College, the main program will begin at noon, with several speakers then more local music as participants begin marching to the Capitol.

At the Capitol Main Stage, the local music pre-program starts at 1:00 PM CT and features: 

The Capitol’s Main Stage rally will begin at 2:00 PM CT, and highlight national speakers, musicians, hometown heroes and democracy champions Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Speakers and performers at the Capitol Main Stage rally include:

  • Joan Baez, singer and activist

  • Minister JaNaé Bates, ISAIAH, and multifaith leaders 

  • Nick Benson, flight data activist, MN50501  

  • Katie Bethell, MoveOn Civic Action 

  • MN State Representative Shelley Buck

  • Malika Dahir, Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment

  • Natalie Ehret, Haven Watch 

  • Attorney General Keith Ellison

  • Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan 

  • Jane Fonda, actor and activist 

  • Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin, Indivisible

  • Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her

  • Deepender Singh Mayell, MN-ACLU

  • Carolina Ortiz, COPAL 

  • Sarah Parker, Voices of Florida Project and 50501

  • Maggie Rogers, singer-songwriter and activist

  • AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler

  • SEIU President April Verrett

  • American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten

  • Robert Weissman, Public Citizen 

  • Emcee Ash Woodard-Henderson

The third No Kings protest is expected to be the largest yet. On June 14, 2025, over five million participants came to No Kings events nationwide, including 80,000 Minnesotans who chose to stand in solidarity at our State Capitol just hours after the murders of Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the shootings of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Last October more than seven million people attended 2,700 No Kings events across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

This national flagship rally at the Capitol in Saint Paul is one of more than 3,000 No Kings events scheduled around the country, bringing together millions of Americans united against the Trump administration's authoritarianism and corruption. All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers are trained in de-escalation and are working closely with local partners to ensure peaceful and powerful actions nationwide. For a full list of nationwide events and partners, visit NoKings.org 

Ann Treacy