Minnesota National Guard soldiers asked to leave labor union HQ, sparking controversy The military presence in the Twin Cities has been wearing on residents, but the decision to ask them to leave has been criticized by Gov. Tim Walz and GOP leaders. Author: Joe Nelson Gov. Tim Walz has criticized union activists who pressured the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation (SPLRF) to ask the Minnesota National Guard to stop using its building as a staging area for its response to the protests over the killing of Daunte Wright. Around 50 soldiers and armored vehicles arrived at the St. Paul Labor Center on West 7th Street Tuesday, per the Pioneer Press, only for a number of union members from several industries to turn up and demand they be removed from the building.