Politics
‘No Kings’ Protests Scheduled Across the Chicago Area Saturday. Here’s What to Expect
Thousands of people took to the streets for Chicago’s “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
Updated coverage: Protesters Gather in Downtown Chicago as Part of National ‘No Kings’ Day of Action
On Saturday, thousands of Illinois residents will take to the streets as part of the “No Kings” protests happening nationwide. The events are part of a mass mobilization across the United States and globe against the Trump administration.
The “No Kings” protests were initially organized around the military parade in Washington commemorating the Army’s 250th anniversary that coincided with President Donald Trump’s birthday. On June 14, thousands of protests across the nation were organized.
“In June, millions of everyday Americans from every walk of life peacefully took to the streets and declared with one voice: No Kings. The world saw the power of the people, and President Trump’s attempt at a coronation collapsed under the strength of a movement rising against his abuses of power,” a statement from the organization’s website reads. “Now, he’s doubling down — sending militarized agents into our communities, silencing voters, and handing billionaires giveaways while families struggle. This isn’t just politics. It’s democracy versus dictatorship. And together, we’re choosing democracy.”
In Chicago, these protests follow Trump’s attempted deployment of the National Guard in Illinois, which was put on pause by a federal judge and recently upheld by an appeals court.
Immigration agents continue to conduct raids across the city and surrounding suburbs. The Department of Homeland Security reported Tuesday that ICE has arrested over 1,500 people as part of “Operation Midway Blitz.” Only 10 of those arrested have been identified as having violent felony records.
Why is it called ‘No Kings’?
The “No Kings” theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national group advocating for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, the now former leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, a government organization designed to slash federal spending. Protesters have called for Trump to be “dethroned” as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president.
Why are they protesting on Saturday?
Nationally, the No Kings protests have been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country’s democracy, according to a statement by organizers.
Locally, organizers aim to combat what they see as inhumane treatment of neighbors, children and families who are being targeted in immigration raids. In a statement, local organizers referred to the ICE raid on an apartment complex in the South Shore neighborhood where federal agents zip tied and detained multiple residents, both citizens and non-citizens, allegedly including children.
“Human beings are thrown to the ground and arrested without cause and disappeared,” organizers said. “Neighbors afraid to leave their homes to shop or go to work. Journalists and protesters arrested while reporting on these actions. This regime is boundaryless in its actions.”
Where will the protests happen?
Several dozen protests are planned across Illinois, with hundreds more scheduled across the globe. In the city, protests are set to take place in the Loop, Lake View, Lincoln Square, Little Village, Edgewater, Lincoln Park, Beverly and Hermosa.
The largest will be the Grant Park gathering downtown.
Other gatherings are scheduled across the suburbs and Northwest Indiana. Some of the suburban sites include:
Evanston — 10:30 a.m.-noon in Evanston Fountain Square
Wilmette — 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Village Hall
Arlington Heights — 3-5 p.m., Recreation Park Soccer Field
Elmhurst — 2:30-4:30 p.m., Elmhurst City Hall
Oak Park —11 a.m.-1 p.m., Lake Street and North Oak Park Avenue
How are Chicago police preparing for the event?
The Chicago Police Department did not disclose if it would be canceling days off for officers, but a spokesperson said the CPD “will have additional resources visible and present across the city to protect all those exercising their First Amendment Rights, as well as all those living, working and visiting in the area.”
What are organizers saying?
Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois, says the rallies are necessary for preserving democracy amid the Trump administration’s “authoritarian desires.”
“The thing that has always stopped that slide and preserved democracy, in many ways, of course, is people power,” Yohnka said. “It is people coming out to the streets. It is people voicing their opposition.”
He said it's fascinating to see the “degree to which people are animated by any of a number of sets of issues,” he said in reference to the myriad of reasons protesters join the cause.
“You have these masked, heavily armed agents, you know, careening and marauding around our neighborhoods” he said. “And engaging in violent as ICE agents or as Customs and Border Patrol agents.”
What’s happening in Chicago?
People of all ages are expected to come together in the protest locations for speeches, marching, carrying signs and waving American flags, organizers said.
On the group’s website, it says a core principle behind all “No Kings” events is a commitment to nonviolent action, and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation.
No weapons of any kind should be taken to “No Kings” events, according to the website.
A rally is planned for Butler Field, inside of Grant Park, which is set to start at noon with a march downtown set to begin at 1p.m. Organizers for the event said they are dedicated to making it accessible and safe.
They plan to have first aid, two sign language interpreters for the rally and 150 safety marshals from Indivisible Chicago along with ADA compliant seating arrangements.
What to expect for Saturday:
Kathy Tholin, organizer and board member with Indivisible Chicago, says safety marshals will be there to help participants with anything they might need and ensure their safety above all else.
Tholin encourages participants to adequately prepare for Saturday, encouraging people to ride public transportation for ease of access and come dressed for the weather.
“We, as the organizers of this event and all of the sponsoring organizations are committed to peaceful protest, and we ask everyone who comes to participate also commit to that,” Tholin said.
“I think they can expect it to look like a family gathering,” Yohnka said. He referred to the June 14 “No Kings” saying he saw a variety of people, including those of “an older age.”
He also saw families with their children, multigenerational groups who all came together to stand unified around these issues. He even referred to a 90-year-old woman he met in June who told him this was her first protest.
Concerns around push back from law enforcement:
Recent ICE activity has raised concerns about federal presence at large public gatherings. To ease concerns, Yohnka emphasized that despite police presence for large gatherings, people will not be doing anything illegal.
“Chicago has an incredibly … rich and deep history of peaceful protest,” he said. “The march will be peaceful… It will be joyful, and joyous in many ways… if the administration want to try to mess with this, that’s a reflection on them, not on the protest itself. And I think that people should not be afraid to come out and participate.”
Tholin added that there is no expectation for ICE activity, drawing comparison to similar worries around the Chicago Marathon earlier this month, where ICE was not present.
How many people are expected to participate?
Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.
“I would say Saturday is a day that nationally is likely to be the largest day of protest in our country’s history. If you are angry or unhappy about what we see this administration doing in our city to our neighbors, and the ways that they are taking apart our democracy. You want to be standing together with us in Grant Park.” Tholin said.
Matt Masterson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
