‘No Kings’ protest Chicago today LIVE: Thousands gather in Grant Park, march through downtown to oppose Trump, Chicago ICE arrests
CHICAGO (WLS) — Tens of thousands of people gathered in Grant Park for a peaceful “No Kings” protest before beginning to march through downtown streets on Saturday afternoon.
Chicago is one of dozens of cities nationwide holding demonstrations against the Trump administration’s policies on Saturday. Protests are also happening in the suburbs.
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The nationwide movement denounced President Donald Trump and his policies.
“I couldn’t not participate,” protester Allison Heverin said. “We have to be out here to show the world this is not right, what’s going on is horrible.”
Scores of people along with advocates and local elected officials turned out for the downtown demonstration, which organizers say was expected to draw people from the city and surrounding areas. It began at Butler Field in Chicago’s Grant Park around noon.
“Tens of thousand are gathering with our here in downtown Chicago, and they are here to rise up in support of our neighbors, in support of the city and to remind people, hands off Chicago and this is America and we don’t have kings here,” Indivisible Chicago volunteer Sally Schulze said.
Chicago is one of dozens of cities nationwide holding demonstrations against the Trump administration’s policies on Saturday.
Because of recent ICE arrests in the Chicago area, organizers expected a much bigger crowd than the previous “No Kings” rally held in June.
After a two-hour program in Grant Park, protesters began marching through downtown. Traffic was impacted. The Chicago Police Department said it would have extra resources throughout the Loop.
It’s the latest of several anti-Trump protests locally and across the country as the administration ramped up immigration raids.
“The raid that happened in South Shore is like a block away from where I live, so I was thinking if they can raid this place, what’s to stop them from raiding my building?” protester Jeremiah Thiocary said.
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Hundreds of Chicago police officers blocked off streets and escorted the huge, but peaceful, crowd as they marched passed by Trump Tower. The afternoon event followed smaller demonstrations that have been met with aggression from federal agents who’ve used tear gas and arrested some protestors.
“Everything that ‘s happening is not okay,” protester Paula Pacheco said. “It is not how I was raised. I want to show support.”
The Chicago rally comes roughly four months after the first “No Kings Day” protest, which also drew thousands to downtown and more to the suburbs. The June protest was meant to counter a military parade in Washington to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 79th birthday an event critics say is being funded by taxpayers while Social Security, Medicaid and food assistance programs are being gutted.
“I’m a lifelong registered Republican. Enough is enough,” protester Matt Schwarz said.
Organizers say there were at least 2,000 other protests held in every state, with demonstrations planned in Mexico and Canada.
Some Trump supporters called Saturday’s protest a “hate America rally.” Those at the event called it a peaceful day of action.
The demonstration appeared to be mostly peaceful as organizers called it a great success as they are already starting to plan more demonstrations and protests.
Protests were also held in suburbs across the Chicago area, including Naperville, Elmhurst, Bolingbrook, Joliet, Elgin, Oak Park, Buffalo Grove, Forest Park and more.
The demonstrations come as protesters have gathered near the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility for weeks, calling for a change in immigration enforcement.
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