PHOTOS: Demonstrators Voice Opinions on Shutdown, Relax on the Grass at State Capitol

Citizens marched through St. Paul to the steps of the State Capitol today where they voiced their displeasure at the current budget deadlock and impending government shutdown. 

Richfield resident and Patch contributor David Haines was on hand to snap photos and talk with protesters.

Early in the afternoon Haines stated, "Not much here yet, just five demonstrators and a guy playing a fiddle ... sounds like that could change though."

Barbara Hall of St. Paul, who was at the Capitol with the community action group L.I.F.T., said she was there to represent the people in her area that could not and come voice their opinion.

"The people in my apartment building, a lot of the people can't come here," she told Haines. "So I am here standing for them, too." 

A group of a few dozen citizens marched from Kellog Park to the Capitol where they met up with other demonstrators gathered on the Capitol lawn and steps, according to Haines. Demonstrators went inside the Capitol building in hopes that lawmakers would hear their plea for a deal to be reached.

While the attitude on the Capitol lawn was very relaxed with a group of people flying a kite and even playing music, the situation on the steps and inside the Capitol building were more heated.

"They need to come up with some kind of conclusion", said C.J. Turner of Minneapolis; a Capitol lobbyist turned demonstrator for the day.  "I know Republicans and I know Democrats ... They're all walking around saying [a shutdown isn't] right. Therefore, I'm here for the fight. No shutdown."