Hundreds turned out for a “Not My President” rally in Round Lake Beach on Presidents’ Day saying that the Trump administration and MAGA “threaten our families, our freedoms, and our democracy.”
The protest was held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday near Route 83 and Rollins Road in Round Lake Beach.
The event was organized by Indivisible Western Lake County, which said it was the first peaceful protest it organized in 2026 in Lake County.
Organizers said the Trump Administration and MAGA “threaten our families, our freedoms, and our democracy.”
“Civil rights protections are being rolled back. LGBTQ+ and trans rights are under attack. Federal funds are being used to punish communities. Democratic norms and free elections are being undermined. ICE and the National Guard are being weaponized against civilians – kidnapping citizens and destroying families,” the organizers said.
Participants lined Rollins Road and carried a variety of signs, including ones that said “Say no to mad king Donald” and “The worst of the worst are in the White House.”
Other signs said, “#47 – not my oligarch” and “We the People are pissed.”
Lake County Democrats said “so many Lake Dems friends joined” with like-minded people for the protest.
“Donald Trump doesn’t represent Lake County or American values, and the large crowd and great response from people driving by, like voters before them, made it clear that the extremism of Trump and MAGA has no home here,” Lake County Democrats said.
“Thanks to everyone, including Indivisible Western Lake County Community, who came out and made their voices heard. This holiday will mean something different come 2029, but let’s keep rolling up our sleeves and standing up for our values while we still have the worst President ever in the White House,” the organization added.
U.S. Rep Brad Schneider (D-Highland Park) attended the event and said he was proud of to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with neighbors from across the district to make their voices heard at the peaceful rally.
“Thank you to Randy Harnicker and Indivisible Western Lake County for organizing and mobilizing our community. That we gathered on Presidents Day was no coincidence,” Schneider said.
“At a moment when our democratic institutions are being tested, silence is not an option. Showing up matters. Speaking out matters. Defending our democracy matters. I am fighting every single day to hold this Administration accountable and to protect the freedoms and values we believe in. We will not back down. Onward,” he added.
Illinois 10th Congressional District candidate Morgan Coghill called the protest “great” and said the community showed their pride in standing up against a “criminal President and his enablers.”
“The message was loud and clear, we want fundamental change. Progessives will hold the Epstein class accountable. Progressives will end ICE’s terrorism. When Democracy is under threat, we need people who will stand up and say NO,” Coghill said.
Illinois State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, Illinois 10th Congressional Democratic State Central Committeeman Thomas Maillard, Illinois 10th Congressional Democratic State Central Committeewoman Tracy Katz Muhl, Illinois Comptroller candidate Holly Kim and Lake County Board Member Esiah Campos also attended the event.
Maillard said a few hundred people attended. Campos said 7 Brew Coffee supported the protest by handing out free coffee to attendees.