Late last night, we posted Unmasked: Susan Akland's non-apology apology about storming the Minnesota state capitol that includes a Mankato Free Press article taking a look at the St. Peter first-term Republican's feels about attending Wednesday's state version of Storm the Capitol.
She now claims media coverage took her comments about masks out-of-context; she didn't really know what the rally was about.
Obviously, her constituents hadn't seen her excuses, claims of being pro-mask, and the wonderful claim at the end of St. Peter freshman lawmaker regrets rally controversy: "“I’m sort of a peacemaker so I don’t like this, this conflict,” she said."
Yes, that October 31, 2020 Facebook photo above of her standing maskless in front of a monster truck that's crushed a vehicle spray-painted "Dictator Walz," and two labeled "Socialist" and "Democrats" is clear street cred for peacemaking status.
But on to the letters. In Akland, Hagedorn gave legitimacy to Trump lies, North Mankato resident Wess McConville writes:
The time is now to begin a recall petition on Susan Akland. Jim Hagedorn should also resign because of his votes on Jan. 6. . . .
Akland apparently also perpetuates these lies and participated in a rally that laughed and cheered when the U.S. Capitol was ransacked.
Akland, a former registered nurse and the first-term District 19A representative, announced she was glad to see the crowd unmasked at the undemocratic and extremist “Storm the Capitol” rally she attended and spoke at.
And, according to the Star Tribune, the rally was also attended by the far-right groups the Three Percenters and the Boogaloo Bois. We might as well top off the craziness of that rally with the calls that suggested for an overthrow of the government.
I don’t know if Akland supports armed revolution or far-right extremism, and I don’t know if she was among those laughing at the insurrection, but I believe you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. She needs to answer for her involvement that day. . . .
North Mankato resident Joseph Kunkel writes in Several Republican politicians should resign:
. . .Shame also, on our new state representative Susan Akland, of St. Peter.
One of her first actions was to speak at the “Storm the Capitol” rally in St. Paul, the same day our national Capitol was being ransacked.
But there's more. St. Peter resident Tom Leonhardt writes in Akland's actions dangerous, disgraceful:
The dangerously disgraceful actions of Rep. Susan Akland (District 19A) on the Minnesota State Capitol lawn Wednesday leaves her with no choice but to resign her office.
She willingly and willfully stood next to and joined the chorus of those who called for a cleansing “war” and the death of those who don’t share their beliefs. This happened in broad daylight, on camera and on the same day the president’s insurrectionists laid siege on the U.S. Capitol resulting in the death of several, including a peace officer.
Akland, with her clout as a representative, joined by other state Republicans, supported those in attendance who called anyone who disagreed with them “weeds'' [video here] — needing to be killed in order for them to survive as “beautiful flowers in a garden.”
The group threatened thousands of her constituents, my wife and child, friends, and all those who would question crazy, conspiratorial views and people who simply have differing ideas about the future of our beautiful state and country.
Akland needs to do the right thing and step down immediately. She has clearly shown she doesn’t have the judgement to do the job. Her refusal to resign will only make her work in St. Paul impossible and lead to an eventual recall.
By her actions, Akland has told everyone in the state and the district that she doesn’t value certain lives and they are better off dead. If that’s someone who doesn’t represent you, join the voices calling for her to step down.
Ouch. In Akland supported sedition, North Mankato resident Georgia Holmes wrote:
According to an article in the Star Tribune about a pro-Trump rally in St. Paul Wednesday, newly-elected District 19A state representative Susan Akland attended the rally and spoke to the group.
In her speech, she supported the rioters who illegally invaded the U.S. Capitol, terrorized members of Congress and desecrated the building.
Akland should immediately resign from office and apologize to the people of Minnesota for her support of sedition.
St. Peter residents Beth Kallaus and Mary Hildebrandt write in Akland should follow science, wear mask:
We have read in the Star Tribune that at the pro-Trump rally in St. Paul Rep. Susan Akland told the crowd she was glad they were unmasked. First, why would Akland go to a "rally" to protest an election she won? That baffles us.
Second, and more importantly though, we feel it was wrong that Akland told people she was glad they were not wearing masks. She is a nurse and her husband is a doctor. Medical training and skills are based and rooted in science.
Why is she not listening to the top scientists and doctors studying this virus? As a nurse, one wears a mask where there are infectious patients to keep everyone as safe as possible. As a representative she should help keep her constituents as safe as possible.
There are thousands of doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals in our country that have literally been putting their lives in jeopardy and working tirelessly to care for patients with COVID-19. Some of these people have died or are dying from this virus. They are asking and begging people to wear masks!
Do not disrespect these doctors and nurses who are fighting so hard on the front lines.
We sincerely respect that Akland’s choice is pro-life. However, how does one reconcile believing in not killing early human life, but think it's okay to endanger human lives not in the womb? Wearing a mask protects other human beings.
We should be able to expect our lawfully elected officials to follow science and wear masks. This includes Akland.
Finally, Mankato resident Logan Campa, who unsuccessfully challenged Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe, in 2012, includes her inFascist Republicans need to face repercussions.
We'll keep an eye out for developments in this story.
Related posts:
- Unmasked: Susan Akland's non-apology apology about storming the Minnesota state capitol
- Correcting the timeline on a report about Stop The Steal; Akland constituents talk back
- Tim Miller emails House colleagues, staff to incorrectly argue masks aren’t effective
- Minnesota House sedition faction reply to Protest and Dissent letter, defend attack on state voters
- Couldn't get to DC: Akland, Drazkowski, Franson, Gruenhagen and Lucero storm MN state capitol
- From the Journal of the House: Eight members protest & dissent those who signed Paxton letter
Screengrab: Peacemaker Susan Akland at a Republican monster truck event in October. Via Facebook. Update: A reader commented with more information about the photo: "That photo with the trucks was taken by Neisens bar and grill (old Whisky River place) along 169, just E of St. Peter. I drove by that day and took a similar photo, as I live in the area."
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That photo with the trucks was taken by Neisens bar and grill (old Whisky River place) along 169, just E of St. Peter. I drove by that day and took a similar photo, as I live in the area.
Posted by: Cathryn A Olson | Jan 10, 2021 at 03:24 PM