Minnesota GOP chair blasts progressive group over KKK-themed sign shown during Black House speaker's remarks

"Last night, radical protesters stormed the stage at our Lincoln Reagan Dinner and held up a KKK symbol while Speaker Lisa Demuth spoke," Plechash said in a statement posted to X by the Republican Party of Minnesota.

"Let's be clear about what happened. Left leaning protesters aimed a symbol of racial terror at a Black woman leader, at a dinner named for the president who ended slavery," he continued.

"We disrupted this fundraiser because we refuse to give a moment's peace to the people bankrolling racial violence," the group said in a statement cited by the outlet.

The organization also said it was not affiliated with Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL).

Video of the incident shows demonstrators moving toward the front of the room holding signs, including one with the letters "KKK" highlighted in red, according to outlet.

One protester could be heard shouting, "You love Trump and you will not stand up for Minnesotans," as Demuth stood on stage holding a microphone.

As security escorted the demonstrators away, attendees began chanting, "Lisa," followed by chants of, "USA."

Plechash told the outlet that protesters gained access to the dinner by purchasing tickets and passing through security checkpoints.

Plechash said roughly three or four protesters pushed toward the front of the room carrying banners during Demuth's remarks. He estimated the disruption lasted about 30 seconds and said he did not believe the demonstrators posed a physical threat.

Plechash said in his X post that Eagan police issued trespass orders and that potential charges remained under investigation.

"Intimidation, criminal behavior, and racist rhetoric have no place in Minnesota politics," Plechash wrote.

"Republicans debate ideas, and we'd welcome the DFL to show up and do the same," he added. "Every hour they stay silent says something. Their silence is deafening."