Chicago police prepare for ‘No Kings’ protest on Saturday

CHICAGO — Millions of people are preparing to demonstrate against the Trump administration on Saturday, amid tensions over federal immigration raids across the country.

The “No Kings” protest in Chicago is expected to kick off at noon at Daley Plaza, and is being led by a group called Indivisible Chicago and ACLU Illinois.

“We expect tens of thousands of people in Daley Plaza,” Kathy Tholin, Board Chair of Indivisible Chicago, said.

The protest is just one of hundreds planned across the country.

As the Trump administration enforces immigration sweeps and policies, more steam has been fueled against the federal government.

Indivisible Chicago says they are committed to non-violent action and expect participants to seek to deescalate any potential confrontations on Saturday.

“We are facing a deepening crisis in this country that has been getting more dire by the day and sometimes by the hour,” Tholin said. “Saturday’s rally is an opportunity for Chicagoans to come together and say no we are not a country of kings, we are not a country where federal agents can kidnap and disappear our neighbors.”

Ed Yohnka with the ACLU says a handful of speakers are expected to kick the rally off before the two-mile march begins downtown.

“I think we’re bringing together people from across the spectrum. People who are concerned both about individual issues, as well as just the general drift of the country who want to express opposition to this administration,” said Ed Yohnka, ACLU of Illinois, Dir. Of Communications and Public Policy.

The “No Kings” demonstration will coincide with President Trump’s planned military parade in Washington, D.C. set to honor the 250th birthday of the army and Trump’s 79th birthday.

“What this president is doing to this country is unconscionable and using his power to have a militarized celebration, that’s just not very becoming of our country,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

Organizers for the demonstration said they will have trained safety marshals wearing yellow vests to help deescalate any potential conflicts.

Chicago police will be visible Saturday and said they’ll always work to protect people exercising their first amendment rights and will not tolerate criminal activity or violence.