Mortensen warned Shakopee about busloads of paid protesters with riot gear coming to MN

 

While the Minnesota House conducts another marathon hybrid live and Zoom floor session on omnibus bills, we looked around conservative social media in Greater Minnesota and the exurbs to assess the right-wing rural response to Chauvinb being found guilty on all counts in a case that transfixed world.

One gem sticks out. Tuesday at 2:33 PM, just before the verdicts came in, Shakopee New House Republican Erik Mortensen posted on Facebook:

BREAKING!! CHAUVIN VERDICT IS IN

THE VERDICT WILL BE READ BETWEEN 3:30pm and 4:00pm TODAY!!

Additionally, I'm hearing reports of dozens of busses coming to town with paid protestors that are bringing riot gear with them. Of course, we do not know if rioters will come to Shakopee but I encourage everyone to prepare for the worst and pray for the best.

That said the head of Capitol security is directing legislators to prepare for riots. Therefore, I'm passing along a similar preparatory message to you all. This is NOT an exhaustive list, but a starting point for things to think about:

1. Have a plan your entire family knows and is prepared to execute at a moments notice.

2. Know both emergency and non-emergency phone numbers. Shakopee police non-emergency is (952) 233-9400. Of course 911 is for emergencies.

3. Recognize that police may be overwhelmed and unable to respond timely.

4. If you have evening activities planned for this week, consider how important they are and perhaps reschedule.

5. Have a first aid kit.

6. Keep your doors locked and consider keeping outdoor lights on overnight.

7. If you have a security system, use it.

8. Stay informed through real-time news outlets.

We've posted a screenshot at the top of this post. The post was shared 303 times as we write this post; 311 people reacted and 165 people commented. Bluestem isn't sharing the comments, since Mortensen is the public figure here.

 

Fortunately, as the Star Tribune reported At George Floyd Square, verdict relieves tensions of a long year and Minneapolis streets erupt in elation over guilty verdicts for Derek Chauvin.

Mortensen appears to have frightened his constituents about those same Anfita buses that motivated Clearbrook Republican state representative Matt Grossell just after the murder of George Floyd. We reported about this in Snipe hunt of war: Grossell spent night out with patriot buds waiting for phantom buses .

We're checking to see what the head of capitol security told lawmakers.

UPDATE: In our comment section, a reader left what he says is the text of the email from the head of capitol security to MDA staff.  We have not verified the email.

Mort's Facebook watchdog scolded him about the fearmongering:

Representative Erik Mortensen shows that all he cares about is fear mongering to scare the people of MN and 55A. Because...

Posted by Erik Mortensen Fact Checker on Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Screengrab: Mortensen's Facebook page.

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Comments

[John Maddening]

Of course, he doesn’t have any actual names of anyone who is allegedly supplying him with this information.

As for Capitol Security, this is the far more measured email they sent out to MDA employees:

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To all,

In todays update, Minnesota State Patrol reports that State Troopers from Ohio and Nebraska have been deployed to work with and augment Minnesota State Troopers along with Minnesota National Guard on the Capitol Complex. This is being done to replace staff that are being deployed elsewhere. It is not a response to information indicating a heightened threat to the complex.

You may see an increase in foot patrols by Troopers and National Guard today and in the coming days. This is intended to help security staff be more familiar with the Capitol Complex buildings and grounds. Also, State Patrol and Capitol Security will now have a 24/7 presence in all state buildings.

As previously reported, traffic control barriers are in place. Entrance to the Capitol Complex is at Cedar and Sherburne (see attached map) and employees should wear their MDA badge so it is visible at all times while on Complex.

Thanks,

Doug

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