Trucks Circle, Squeal Tires, Burn Out and Get Close to No Kings Protestors in New Ulm

 

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.

When the Screeching Wheels Go Unnoticed

 

Protestors against Trump’s policies came out for today’s No Kings event in New Ulm, MN in spite of the political assassinations of lawmakers in Minnesota Saturday morning and Governor Walz’s calls to stay home.

The crowd of 400 continued protesting while men in at least four quad cab pickup trucks and a Jeep attempted to intimidate them using their vehicles.

The quad cab drivers revved their engines, peeled out & tire smoke blew over the crowd. Some of the trucks circled around the block and made several passes.

In one incident two people were nearly hit while crossing the road in a cross walk using the cross walk light.

A white quad cab driver revved his engine, his tires spun and squealed. He moved forward nearly hitting the people in the cross walk.  

 

A man in a Jeep with Trump flags circled the crowd several times.

When he was stopped at a traffic light he would sometimes rev his engine while he waited.

While I was taking pictures, I noticed two men paying special interest to me. I walked back and forth in front of them to make sure that they were looking at me, they were. I approached them to try to help make them feel better but they refused to talk. 

Later, I was approached by a couple of women from the crowd. When we met, they
were standing near where the white truck nearly ran people over in the road.  They seemed afraid of me. I explained that I am visiting, covering it. I shared that I understand the fear b/c I don't feel safe.

One of the ladies said, "We are Minnesota nice here. Nothing bad will happen."

We said goodbye to each other and I went on my way. The protest wrapped up about 15 minutes later. 

I crossed the busy street using the crosswalk light and timer. Several other people, mostly women, crossed with me. Two were elder women. One used a cane and walked toward me. One had difficulty walking. She walked behind me in the same direction. 

A white quad cab made a left hand turn and flew up toward the cross walk. He screamed at us to, "Get out of the way, you pieces of shit."

He got close enough to me that I could have touched his truck. 

A woman hurried to get out of his way, yelling that she had the right of way.

I was concerned that he could not see the hunched over elder woman walking toward me and would not wait for the elder behind me. 

He continued to scream at me. 

I looked at him and pointed at the elders and the crosswalk timer. People on the sidewalk yelled at him that pedestrians had the right of way. 

He continued to scream and rev his engine. 

I helped the elders cross in front of his truck but I was so scared. I was scared this man who thinks we are pieces of shit would kill us for inconveniencing him. 

I got the elders across his truck. We all made it across the road before the timer expired. 

He drove away yelling and flipping us off.