ROSEMOUNT, Minnesota – Several Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) students shared with The Minnesota Sun that they were told to stay off campus during President Joe Biden’s visit. Biden visited DCTC on Tuesday afternoon to discuss his new infrastructure bill, accompanied by Governor Tim Walz, Representative Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN-03), Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul were also present.
Biden spoke for about 30 minutes to an audience mainly made up of the press regarding his recent infrastructure bill and the things that his “Build Back Better” bill would do for Minnesota.
“We were told that they didn’t want us on campus today, but they really did not give a reason why. We only found out that Biden was coming on Monday.” Madison Ryan, a student at DCTC, told The Sun. Ryan said that the event was “by invitation only.”
Ryan explained that an email notice from the school outlined that all students and “non-essential employees” were expected to stay off campus on Tuesday for Biden’s visit.
Protesters began gathering along Highway 42 hours prior to Biden’s scheduled visit. Some protesters came bearing Trump merchandise and signs that said “Let’s go Brandon.” Many held American flags.
Two other groups of protesters were also present, both groups protesting events in Ethiopia. Some of them held signs asking Biden to “free Jawar Mohammed,” a Minnesota resident and activist who has been imprisoned in Ethiopia on terrorism charges.
Biden’s motorcade arrived at DCTC at around 2:15 p.m. CST through a side entrance and avoided driving past most of the crowds of protesters lining the highway across the street. Video footage shows protesters yelling “F— Joe Biden” as the motorcade turns into DCTC.
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Hayley Feland is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun and The Wisconsin Daily Star | Star News Network. Follow Hayley on Twitter or like her Facebook page. Send news tips to [email protected].
