‘No Kings’ protests held in Chicagoland as demonstrators march nationwide

CHICAGO — Protests unfolded in Chicago on Saturday as opponents of President Donald Trump’s administration took to the streets in dozens of cities around the country.

Demonstrators gathered downtown at Daley Plaza for the “No Kings” protest that got underway at noon.

Saturday’s local demonstration was led by the ACLU of Illinois and a group called Indivisible Chicago.

On Friday, Indivisible Chicago Board Chair Kathy Tholin said she expected tens of thousands of people to attend the demonstration.

Tholin said the group is committed to non-violent action and expected participants to de-escalate any potential confrontations on Saturday.

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

The group even handed out free rally signs with phrases like “Say no kings” and “Americans Against Oligarchy,” written on them.

The march is expected to spark some traffic delays on Saturday.

In an update shared around 12:45 p.m., the Chicago Office of Emergency Management said rolling closures and traffic delays are expected in the Loop.

The OEMC advised drivers to seek alternate routes.

The march is scheduled to wrap up by 2 p.m.

The gathering is just the latest demonstration, as protestors have marched downtown multiple times this week.

While recent protests have remained peaceful in Chicago, a demonstration held on Tuesday afternoon was interrupted when a woman was struck by a car as a group of anti-ICE protestors moved through downtown.

Chicago police ended up arresting 17 people during the Tuesday march.

Suburban protests

The downtown march is one of a few demonstrations taking place around Chicagoland on Saturday.

In Evanston, a “No Kings” event got underway at Sherman Avenue and Davis Street.  

Organizers of the suburban event estimated that the crowds could grow to as many as 3,000 people.

Because of the planned protest, road closures were in place in Evanston until about 12 p.m.

In Naperville, a large demonstration formed at city hall around 11 a.m. and began marching through downtown.

In a social media post shared shortly after the group mobilized, Naperville police wanted residents to “use extreme caution when traveling near downtown during this time” in order to ensure the safety of participants and motorists.

Out in Elgin, a group of demonstrators could be seen lining the road near North Grove Avenue and Kimball Street.

The protest did not appear to be impacting traffic.

Protests nationwide

Around the rest of the country, demonstrators continued to rally against the president’s administration.

According to the Associated Press, crowds of protestors grew in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Los Angeles on Saturday.

The protests are unfolding ahead of a military parade set to take place in Washington DC marking the Army’s 250th anniversary. It also happens to coincide with the president’s birthday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.