Karens are everywhere these days, and their targets can be just about anyone– even Girl Scouts who are just trying to sell cookies. While it’s a common trope and activity for Girl Scouts, and also a productive one, the “Karen” was having none of it because she thought the Girl Scout didn’t have a permit to set up a cookie stand in Minnesota.
The incident occurred on March 28 in the 50th & France district in Edina, Minnesota. TikTok user and former Minnesota Senate candidate Marisa Simonetti is the video’s uploader, and also the one the internet has now branded a “Karen.” That’s because Simonetti filmed the Girl Scout and her mother in their cookie stand, where she also asked them, “Is this unpermitted solicitation? Are you permitted to sell these? Do you have a permit?”
The Girl Scout’s mother obviously didn’t like being filmed and went into the store, presumably to ask the store owner for help. Many commenters questioned the authenticity of the interaction, accusing Simonetti of fabricating it, but the mother in the video explained that she did not know Simonetti.
According to the Girl Scout’s mother, Simonetti even allegedly harassed them, and a police report was filed. Simonetti reportedly “ran away once a crowd formed telling her to go away.” The Girl Scout’s mom assured everyone that “This is not a skit, I have never met her before in my life. This woman came up and accosted my daughter and I.”
“I do not post my children to social media, and I repeatedly asked her not to film my 7 year old child,” the Girl Scout’s mom added. “My daughter is now left afraid to participate in cookie season next year.”
People Online are Calling Out Simonetti
Simonetti so far hasn’t directly responded to the Girl Scout mom’s allegations, though she did post a video captioned “Long day being a villain… Someone has to do it,” regarding what happened in Edina. Simonetti then went on to shame other people for minor infractions all over the state of Minnesota, which appears to be the theme of her TikTok page, seemingly further inviting Karen accusations.
Hence, people online have scrutinized Simonetti and her actions, with one person even stating, “Does she have the authority to be harassing a minor like that?” Earlier in March, Simonetti was also charged and found guilty of throwing a tarantula at her housemate back in June 2024. Apparently, Simonetti wanted her housemate to leave and thought that harassing her with a tarantula was the best way to do it.
