Anti-Trump protests drew thousands of people in Lake and McHenry counties on Saturday demonstrating against the president’s aggressive crackdown on immigration, among other issues.
Indivisible and a coalition of pro-democracy partner organizations announced a movement called “No Kings,” which was held Saturday as part of a nationwide “day of defiance.”
The protests took place on the same day of President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C.
The organizations say that the protests aim to take away attention from the military parade.
“Donald Trump wants tanks in the streets and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington — it rises up everywhere else,” the No Kings website says.
“June 14th is also the U.S. Army’s birthday — a day that marks when Americans first organized to stand up to a king. Trump isn’t honoring that legacy. He’s hijacking it to celebrate himself,” the website adds.
The No Kings organizers cite Trump defying courts, deportation of people, civil rights violations and cutting of services as reasons for the protests.
The protests took place across the United States, including in the Chicagoland area, Saturday morning into the afternoon.
In Lake County, “No Kings” events were held in Highland Park at the City Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Gurnee at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Hunt Club Road from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and in Buffalo Grove at the intersection of Weidner Road and Lake Cook Road from 12-2 p.m.
A demonstration was also held in McHenry County at the intersection of Route 31 and McCullom Lake Road in McHenry from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism and show the world what democracy actually looks like: people, united, refusing to be ruled,” the organizers said.
Large crowds turned out at the protests in Lake and McHenry counties. In Buffalo Grove, protesters held signs saying “fascism is bad” and “No kings in America.”
Protesters held similar signs at the Highland Park protest. “Get the fascist felon out!” one sign said. “Democracy not autocracy,” another sign read.
Protesters lined all sides of the intersection of Grand Avenue and Hunt Club Road at the Gurnee demonstration.
The organizers also say that one of their “core principles” behind No Kings events is non-violent action.
“We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values,” the event listings say.
The Lake County protests were co-organized by Lake County Democrats, which had previously organized prior protests in the area.
Police stood by at the protest to ensure safety. Temporary road closures were in effect at the Highland Park protest.