New Ulm, MN – Two people in a crosswalk were nearly hit by a truck
during the No Kings Day protest attended by an estimated 400 people on Saturday afternoon.
The people, holding protest signs, were in the crosswalk when the
white quad cab pickup truck revved its engine, squealed its tires and
went toward the people in the crosswalk.
The burning tires sent black smoke into the crowd.
At least three additional trucks and one Jeep displayed speed or
revved their engine at people peacefully protesting at the event.
The driver of a red quad cab pickup truck came up to the corner,
revved its engines, spun his wheels, and took off quickly around a
corner. The truck sent a plume of white smoke into the crowd.
Some of the vehicles made multiple passes in front of the crowd.
When asked about the incidents in email, Indivisible New Ulm leadership team member Viktoria Davis wrote, "We were thrilled to see nearly 400 people come out in support of our democracy. The No Kings attendees were universally peaceful. We did see some individuals in vehicles who attempted to intimidate the protestors. We encourage all people to remember that the right to peacefully assemble is guaranteed by the Constitution. We strongly oppose all forms of violence."
Request for comment by New Ulm Mayor Kathleen Backer and Brown
County Commissioners David Borchert, Anton Berg, Scott Windschitl,
Brian H Braun and Jeffrey Veerkamp have not been answered as of
publication.
Photograph Context
The first photograph
is of the white truck incident described in the beginning of this
article. Skid marks behind the truck’s tires were made when the
truck spun his tires before moving forward. Black smoke from the
tires burning can be seen in the right lower corner of the
photograph.
The second photo of
a truck with smoke is of a red truck turning a corner after revving the engine, pealing out and sending smoke into the air in front of the protestors.
These are not two
photos of the same incident from different angles.
