"No Kings" events roll across Illinois on Saturday
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Thousands marched in "No Kings" protests in Chicago on June 14. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
More than a dozen "No Kings" events will kick off across the Chicago area Saturday, in a sequel to June 14 demonstrations that organizers called the "biggest single-day anti-President Trump protest during his second administration."
Why it matters: Organizers of the nationwide demonstrations expect Saturday's events to be even larger and are urging participants to prepare with virtual safety and de-escalation meetings, including one at 6pm Wednesday.
- While the events are planned across the nation, Chicago's are happening at a time of controversial ICE apprehensions and threats of deploying federalized National Guard troops on the streets.
Zoom in: Chicago's largest march will start in Grant Park's Butler Field at noon.
- Neighborhood groups will host satellite events, including family "Chalk the Walk" parties and senior rallies, and smaller marches will roll out in dozens of suburbs.
The big picture: The events are organized by groups including the ACLU, the American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, the Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, the League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen and the SEIU.
What they're saying: "Here in Chicago we know how to rise up, fight back, and support each other," local No Kings organizers say on the event site.
- "It is more important than ever that we do that together on October 18th as we show the nation and the world that Chicago is united in opposing these illegal and unnecessary attacks against our neighbors, our communities, and our democracy."
The other side: "We call it the 'hate America rally' because you'll see the hate for America all over this thing when they show up," House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said Tuesday during an appearance on Fox Business Network's "Mornings With Maria."
- Monday, on that same show, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy asserted, without evidence, that No Kings protesters are being paid by an anti-fascist movement known as antifa.