Well over 15,000 people were estimated to have attended a half-dozen “No Kings” protests in Lake and McHenry counties protesting against the Trump administration on Saturday.
The second round of “No Kings” protests was held across the United States on Saturday.
Dozens were held in the Chicago area, with six of them taking place in Lake and McHenry counties.
In Lake County, protesters gathered at Grand Avenue and Hunt Club Road in Gurnee from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the city hall in Highland Park from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., and at Lake Cook Road and Weidner Road in Buffalo Grove from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In McHenry County, protests were held at Route 31 and McCullom Lake Road in McHenry from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Algonquin Road and South Harrison Street in Algonquin from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and at The Pointe Outreach Center in Crystal Lake from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Thousands of people attended the protests, with event organizers estimating that 7,000 people were at the Gurnee rally. The McHenry County rallies saw approximately 7,000 people.
Indivisible, a progressive movement organization with chapters across the country, is the lead organizer of No Kings.
“This was a tremendous event. Way more people than last time,” Sherri Farris, a volunteer leader with NE Lake County Indivisible, said at the Gurnee event.
It was estimated that 4,500 people gathered at the same intersection in June.
“Show me what democracy looks like – this is what democracy looks like!” the crowd chanted in Gurnee.
Many people made their own signs and lined up across Grand Avenue and Hunt Club Road. Cars passing by the protests honked their horns to show support.
Volunteer “marshals” were present at each crosswalk to help protesters cross safely.
“I’m here because this country needs to get its backbone back,” a Vietnam War veteran said.
The veteran called the U.S. a “proud, beautiful, wonderful place,” but said “what’s happening in the White House just has to stop.”
Morgan Coghill, a democratic candidate for Illinois’ 10th Congressional District, was in Gurnee supporting the protest.
“I’m here in support of democracy, anti-fascism, and what it really means to be an American. No terrorism, no ICE,” Coghill said. “I think we need more progressive voices in Congress, and that’s why I’m running.”
A man holding up a sign reading “Release The Epstein Files!” said he is in Gurnee to protest the Trump administration’s actions.
“He violates the Constitution, he’s done things that no other president has done, and he wants to represent half of the country,” the man said.
Counter protesters were seen displaying pro-Trump signs and hats while driving by the rally.
Dozens of protesters in Gurnee stayed after 12 p.m. to continue demonstrating.
At around 12:45 p.m., anti-Trump protesters on the side of Grand Avenue engaged in a verbal altercation with what appeared to be a pro-Trump driver who was stopped at a red light.
“F–k you a–hole!” a protester yelled at the driver. “You’re right to like a dumba–! You’re right to be wrong!” another person yelled.
In Highland Park, protesters outside the city hall held signs like “We The People,” “LOVE USA = HATE KINGS,” “ANTIFASCISTS,” and “The Only King For Chicago Is Abe Froman.”
Over half a dozen Highland Park police officers were present at the demonstration.
St. Johns Avenue between Laurel Avenue and Hazel Avenue was closed from 10:30 a.m. until around 12:30 p.m. for the protest.
In Buffalo Grove, thousands of protesters lined up along Lake Cook Road.
“Trump’s Disapproval At 61% NO KINGS” read one sign.
Another sign at the Buffalo Grove protest read “We the People Say No Kings.”
A couple of Buffalo Grove police officers were present at the demonstration.
The first round of No Kings protests held in June also drew thousands of people. Saturday’s events appeared to draw many more participants than June.