Hundreds Gather for 'No Kings' Protests in Burnsville and Eagan; Organizers Estimate 900 Attended Eagan Demonstration
Published: October 18th, 2026
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA: Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Burnsville and Eagan on Saturday, October 17, as part of the nationwide "No Kings" protest movement, which has organized demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump and his administration's policies. The two demonstrations were among several scheduled throughout Dakota and Scott counties on Saturday, bringing participants to major intersections and public gathering areas across the southern Twin Cities metro.
In Burnsville, an estimated couple hundred people gathered near the Burnhaven Library along County Road 42. While no official attendance count was available, the crowd was estimated at about 200 people. In Eagan, organizers reported a much larger turnout, estimating about 900 people attended the demonstration near the intersection of Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road.
Protest organizers provided the Eagan attendance figure, and it has not been independently verified. Likewise, the Burnsville estimate is an approximation, not an official count.
Demonstrators Gather Along Busy Dakota County Roadways
Burnsville Demonstration Draws Approximately 200 People
The Burnsville demonstration took place near the Burnhaven Library, located at 1101 County Road 42 West, near the intersection of Burnhaven Drive and County Road 42. The event was scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
About a couple hundred people attended the demonstration, although an official attendance figure was not available. The location placed the demonstration near one of Burnsville's major commercial corridors, with County Road 42 serving as a primary east-west roadway through the city.
Eagan Organizers Report Approximately 900 Participants
In Eagan, demonstrators gathered near the intersection of Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road, where the protest was scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday. According to event organizers, approximately 900 people participated in the demonstration.
The reported attendance would make Eagan's gathering substantially larger than the estimated turnout in Burnsville, although the two figures were obtained through different methods and should not be considered directly comparable official counts. Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road are major thoroughfares in Eagan, connecting residential neighborhoods, businesses and commercial areas.
Part of a Nationwide Movement Ahead of November Elections
Saturday's demonstrations were part of the latest coordinated day of action by the "No Kings" movement, which has organized protests throughout the United States during President Trump's second term. The movement has criticized the administration over issues including executive authority, immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and what organizers characterize as threats to democratic institutions.
Unlike previous nationwide demonstrations that focused primarily on protesting the administration's policies, the October 17th events placed a greater emphasis on voter participation ahead of the November 3rd midterm elections.
Organizers promoted the nationwide effort under the theme "No Kings: Vote Early," encouraging eligible voters to learn about early voting, plan their voting, and participate in the electoral process. According to the movement's organizers, the October demonstrations were intended to encourage nonpartisan civic participation, despite the movement's broader opposition to the Trump administration. The coalition also emphasized nonviolent demonstrations and encouraged participants to avoid confrontations with individuals holding opposing political views.
Demonstrations Held Throughout Minnesota
Burnsville and Eagan were among numerous Minnesota communities with events scheduled for October 17th. Additional demonstrations were planned in Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Farmington and Savage, while other events took place throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area and greater Minnesota. A larger Twin Cities gathering, called the "Vote Early Twin Cities Rally & Fest," was scheduled at The Commons in downtown Minneapolis from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Several groups organized the Minneapolis event, including Indivisible Twin Cities, MN50501, Women's March Minnesota, and the Minnesota AFL-CIO. The programming included speakers focused on voting rights, live music, family activities, and voting information.
The October 17th demonstrations followed previous rounds of nationwide "No Kings" protests, including events held in March 2026. In Eagan, the intersection of Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road has previously served as a gathering location for the movement, including a demonstration scheduled for March 28th, which Limitless Media News had also covered: Thousands Gather Across Dakota County for “No Kings” Protests, Large Turnouts in Burnsville and Eagan.
Demonstrations Come Weeks Before Midterm Elections
The latest demonstrations took place just over two weeks before the November 3, 2026, general election. Minnesota voters will decide several statewide and federal races, including contests for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, governor, and other statewide constitutional offices.
State legislative races will also appear on ballots, along with various local elections depending on where residents live.
The No Kings coalition has identified early voting and election participation as major priorities leading up to Election Day. Organizers have also announced plans to continue promoting voter participation and monitoring concerns about election administration.
Local Attendance Estimates Remain Unofficial
Although hundreds of participants were reported across the two Dakota County demonstrations, no independently verified attendance figures were available for either event. Organizers provided the approximately 900-person figure in Eagan, while the estimated couple hundred participants in Burnsville came from an unofficial assessment of the gathering.
Together, the estimates suggest that roughly 1,100 people participated in the two demonstrations, although that combined figure should not be considered an official attendance count. The gatherings reflect continued local participation in the nationwide protest movement as the November election approaches.
Written by: Will Wight
