Chicago braces for Saturday's No Kings protests
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Demonstrators gather in Federal Plaza on Tuesday night. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
Chicago leaders are urging calm as the city heads into a weekend of No Kings protests against President Trump's policies and military parade.
Why it matters: Saturday's protests are expected to be exponentially larger than Tuesday's demonstrations, which resulted in some vandalism and clashes with police.
Zoom in: No Kings organizers, including national progressive group Indivisible, have a stronger infrastructure and organizing track record than those who put together Tuesday's march in response to immigration actions in Los Angeles.
Catch up quick: Protests kicked off this month when demonstrators faced off with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers as they detained at least 20 people called in for supposed check-ins at an ICE facility in the South Loop.
Between the lines: Mayor Brandon Johnson says that this recent ICE escalation is meant to incite a reaction but that he believes Chicagoans proved last summer that they can hold large, peaceful, organized protests.
What they're saying: "We know that this president is determined to insert chaos," Johnson said at a Wednesday press conference. "Our responsibility is to continue to provide calm and structure to the situation."
- We will "protect the fundamental right to protest and demonstrate peacefully, and if individuals work outside of those confines, will hold them accountable."
The other side: Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) has his doubts, saying that the 17 people arrested Tuesday night presented "a threat the city needs to take seriously."
- He worries police will be stretched thin this weekend. "It's obvious a percentage of these protesters are determined to cause damage and anarchy," he tells Axios. "It's our challenge to not let them do so."
The intrigue: Immigration organizers note that the No Kings demonstrations are not about immigration but a broader list of grievances against the president.
- They know, however, many in the undocumented community will want to participate, so they're advising them of the risks and urging them to be cautious.
What's next: No Kings protests will take place across the Chicago area Saturday, but the main one kicks off at noon in Daley Plaza.
Editors note: An earlier version of this story featured the wrong start time for the No Kings rally.