TAYLORS FALLS, Minn. – A group of demonstrators assembled on the Hwy. 8 Bridge connecting St. Croix Falls with Taylors Falls, Minnesota, on Sunday, March 23, to protest President Donald Trump, billionaire Elon Musk, and Project 2025, a conservative policy framework. The event, dubbed “This is a Rebellion!” by organizers, drew a crowd primarily composed of older adults, many in their 70s and 80s, with plans to return every Sunday until further notice. Participants gathered at 1:45 p.m. at the pavilion below the bridge on the Taylors Falls side before marching together to the span, where they stood as traffic passed. The demonstration, promoted by the Polk County Democratic Party, highlighted concerns over Musk’s financial influence in politics, including his support for Brad Schimel’s Wisconsin Supreme Court campaign ahead of the April 1 election, as well as broader fears about Project 2025’s implications for democracy.
Kathy Mueller, a member of the Polk County Democrats who alerted media to the protest, said participants from Wisconsin initially met at the St. Croix Falls Library before joining the march. “This is largely an older group wanting to make their voices heard.” Signs carried by protesters targeted Musk’s donations through groups like America PAC and Building America’s Future, which the Democratic Party’s website tied to an electoral strategy influencing races like Schimel’s in favor of his opponent, Judge Susan Crawford. Others criticized Project 2025, with one regular attendee of Polk County Democratic Party meetings calling it “terrifying” and saying he believed the current administration is aligning with its guidelines. He noted attendance had grown from 70 participants two weeks prior to 200 the previous Sunday, though colder weather reduced numbers to about 30 at the start this week, with more arriving later.
Mark Vollrath, an organizer originally from Missouri, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for unity and action. “We believe in cooperation and respect,” he said. “We won’t stand by and let money drown out elections, especially in Wisconsin right now.” Mueller, who moved to the St. Croix Valley 13 years ago seeking a community reflecting American ideals of justice and inclusion, urged attendees to vote, sign petitions, and engage locally to counter what he called a threat to democracy.
One independent protester, a grandmother who asked not to be named, expressed anguish over the country’s direction. “I’ve always been in the middle, but I’m worried about my granddaughters’ future,” she said. “This isn’t just Democrats going crazy, a lot of us, even conservatives, are scared about losing rights and freedoms. We need common ground.” She recalled protesting during the Vietnam War era and said her family eventually reconciled their differences about it, a hope she clings to now.
Despite the smaller turnout this week, those present were enthusiastically participating. A Minnesota participant added, “We might be 35 people today, but we march with the power of 35,000, all those who’ve fought for justice before us. Change is coming.” Organizers confirmed the protests will continue weekly, with no end date set. The April 1 Wisconsin Supreme Court election remains a focal point, with Mueller pointing to peoplevsmusk.org as a resource for those opposing Musk’s influence. “We’ll stay peaceful and lawful,” he said, “but we’re here to restore sanity to America.”
