In 2016, when he was running for president, Trump told a crowd in Minneapolis how the democratic state of Minnesota has a problem with
"large numbers of Somali refugees coming into your state without your knowledge, your support or approval."
Ahead of his visit,
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey described how "under ordinary circumstances" it would be an honor to welcome a sitting president to the city.
"But these aren't ordinary circumstances," Frey said in a statement, via
MPR News. "Since taking office President Trump's actions have been reprehensible and his rhetoric has made it clear that he does not value the perspectives or rights of Minneapolis' diverse communities. "While there is no legal mechanism to prevent the president from visiting, his message of hatred will never be welcome in Minneapolis."
The protest arrives amid controversy surrounding the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis announcing
they will be selling "Cops for Trump" t-shirts after being told they would not be allowed to wear their uniforms off-duty while showing support for the president at the rally. Lt. Bob Kroll, Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis president, claimed the uniform ban decision from the Minneapolis Police Department was kept "completely secret" from the union.