What to Know About ‘No Kings’ Protests Happening in Chicago, Across the US on Saturday!

Opponents of President Donald Trump’s administration are set to rally in hundreds of cities on Saturday during the military parade in Washington to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincides with Trump’s birthday.

The “No Kings” protests are set to take place to counter what organizers say are Trump’s plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day. “No Kings” will follow several days of nationwide protests against federal immigration raids including in Los Angeles, where Trump’s deployment of the National Guard further agitated his opponents.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is following the president’s cue. Abbott said Thursday that he has ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops, along with more than 2,000 state police, in response to the ongoing demonstrations and in preparation for the “No Kings” protests.

The Army birthday celebration had already been planned. But earlier this spring, Trump announced his intention to ratchet up the event to include 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets. He has long sought a similar display of patriotic force.

Why is it called ‘No Kings’?

The “No Kings” theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.

Protests earlier this year have denounced Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk, the now former leader of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, a government organization designed to slash federal spending. Protesters have called for Trump to be “dethroned” as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president.

“They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,” the group says on its website, referring to the Trump administration and its policies. “They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.”

Why are they protesting on Saturday?

The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country’s democracy, according to a statement by organizers.

Organizers intend for the protests to counter the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration — which Trump has ratcheted up to include an expensive, lavish military parade. The event will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers. It also happens to be his 79th birthday and Flag Day.

“The flag doesn’t belong to President Trump. It belongs to us,” the “No Kings” website says. “On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t — to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”

Where will the protests happen?

Protests in nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country, from city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, organizers said. 

No protests are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., however, where the military parade will be held. The group says it will “make action everywhere else the story of America that day.”

“No Kings” plans instead to hold a flagship march and rally in Philadelphia to draw a clear contrast between its people-powered movement and what organizers described on their website as the “costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade” in Washington.

What’s happening in Chicago?

Organizers are planning to gather in Daley Plaza at noon Saturday to join in on the anti-Trump movement. Dozens of other gatherings are planned across the Chicago area, from neighborhoods like South Chicago and Edgewater to suburbs like Evanston and Schaumburg.

See where “No Kings” rallies are happening in Illinois here.

What is planned at the ‘No Kings’ protests?

People of all ages are expected to come together in the protest locations for speeches, marching, carrying signs and waving American flags, organizers said in a call Wednesday.

On the group’s website, it says a core principle behind all “No Kings” events is a commitment to nonviolent action, and participants are expected to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation.

No weapons of any kind should be taken to “No Kings” events, according to the website.

What are Chicago organizers saying?

Kathy Tholin, board president of Indivisible Chicago, one of the groups organizing the event at Daley Plaza, said the anti-Trump activism aims to draw attention to ICE raids and other federal policies that have infringed on people’s rights. While Chicago is following a national movement opposing Trump, she said the protests have local significance in a city that has been uniquely targeted by the Trump administration.

“We see ICE ambushing people, getting them to come to official appointments and then detaining them,” Tholin said. “Taking people who are active members of the community, who are parents of young children and just pulling them off the streets. So we see that very graphically, that horrendous cruelty and overreach. That’s built upon so many other things that the Trump administration has been doing — threatening to withhold funds from Chicago, threatening our universities, withholding funds from our universities, cutting programs that our residents depend on.”

The ACLU of Illinois is also involved in organizing Saturday’s protest. Ed Yohnka, the group’s public affairs and communications director, said it’s important that those who plan on attending know their free speech rights, especially in light of the National Guard deployment to protests in Los Angeles earlier this week.

“People are outraged,” Yohnka said. “People are concerned about this idea of the militarization of our streets — taking someone into custody because they have a viewpoint that’s different from yours or they signed an op-ed that you didn’t like.”

How many people are expected to participate?

The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths. Read More At NBC 5 Chicago.