Thousands gathered for 'No Kings' protests in Chicago, suburbs
'No Kings' protests in Chicago
In Chicago it was a largely peaceful political protest today as tens of thousands of people converged on the Loop--and in many suburban locations-- to condemn the policies of the Trump administration.
CHICAGO - Protesters gathered in downtown Chicago and the surrounding suburbs as part of a nationwide movement called "No Kings" on Saturday, which coincides with a military parade celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th birthday and President Donald Trump's birthday.
National organizers said their aim is to stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions by the Trump administration.
Chicago Police said one person was arrested for hitting an officer. No further information is available at this time.
Events timeline:
4:00 p.m. - Protesters marched to Trump Tower
Some protesters made their way to Trump Tower on North Wabash Avenue.
2:30 p.m. - Protesters march down Michigan Avenue
Sky Fox was over the protesters as they made their way down Michigan Avenue.
Protesters march down Michigan Avenue in Chicago on June 14, 2025.
"While Donald Trump throws himself a birthday party, using our military as a prop, we the people gather here in Chicago to speak up for those who Trump is targeting," said Ed Yohnka with ACLU of Illinois while addressing the crowd, "He is terrorizing our neighbors and our neighborhoods, in pursuit of his damaging deportation program."
Family members of immigrants were in the crowds. Some said anger is fueling their chants and steps.
"We are being the voices for those who can’t come or are scared to come," said Andrea Correa.
Families with young children also joined in the march.
"We want him to see what freedom looks like and what we should be fighting for," said a Dad holding his son while marching.
Organizers with Indivisible say the protest mainly remained peaceful, which was the main goal.
Fellow protesters quickly booed any agitators.
"I think we are going to feel content and happy that we are here and we are trying to make a difference," said Correa.
Protesters say a long Saturday of coming together to march has fueled them. They will keep coming back and fight the political climate and what they see as an abuse of power in the White House.
1:30 p.m. - Daley Plaza crowd photos
Thousands of people packed into Daley Plaza for the "No Kings" rally around midday on Saturday to voice their opposition to the Trump administration's policies.
Photos from Getty Images show a highly dense crowd.
12:40 p.m. - Street closures begin
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications said that street closures are beginning around West Washington Street due to the large gathering.
OEMC said there will be rolling street closures in the Central Business District and the Loop due to the protests.
Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes.
11:50 a.m. - Planned march route
Organizers told Fox 32 that the remarks for the main "No Kings" rally in Daley Plaza will begin at noon and last until around 1 p.m. when a march is expected to step off.
The demonstrators are expected to begin north on Dearborn Street, east on Wacker Drive, south on Michigan Avenue to Ida B. Wells Drive..
It was unclear which route police will use to lead the crowd back to either Daley Plaza or Federal Plaza.
11:30 a.m. Protests against Israel-Iran conflict
Multiple protesters were also seen in downtown Chicago protesting the escalating violence between Israel and Iran.
Iran retaliated late Friday against Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites, unleashing scores of ballistic missiles on Israel and raising concerns about an all-out war between the countries.
11:15 a.m. - Hundreds gather in Daley Plaza
Hundreds of people were already gathered in Daley Plaza some 45 minutes ahead of the planned "No Kings" rally.
Hundreds of people were already gathered in Daley Plaza some 45 minutes ahead of the planned "No Kings" rally.
Fox 32's Gabriella Premus reported that the gathering was peaceful as music was playing, and police officers were slowly trickling in.
Several families were present with kids and elderly attendees.
Hundreds gather in Chicago's Daley Plaza for "No Kings" protest
Hundreds of people were already gathered in Daley Plaza some 45 minutes ahead of the planned "No Kings" rally.
10:30 a.m. - Protest in Joliet
What appeared to be a few dozen people gathered for a "No Kings" protest in southwest suburban Joliet.
State Sen. Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) posted videos on social media depicting the demonstration on Jolieti's West Side.
10:20 a.m. - Anti-ICE protest in Federal Plaza
Fox 32's Gabriella Premus reported a group of about 50 or so people showed up at Federal Plaza to protest ICE arrests of undocumented immigrants.
It was unclear who organized the demonstration. They told Fox 32 they were planning to join the larger protest at Daley Plaza around noon.
They were heard chanting "power to the people, no one is illegal."
Anti-ICE protest in Chicago's Federal Plaza
Protesters gather in Chicago's Federal Plaza on June 14, 2025, speaking against ICE arrests of immigrants in the Chicago area and around the U.S.
9:50 a.m. - List of Illinois protests
Organizers of Saturday's "No Kings" protests released a list of several demonstrations happening around Illinois, including in downstate communities, on social media.
Demonstrations were planned for as far south as Carbondale and as far north as DeKalb.
8:15 a.m. - Local officials call out Trump
In anticipation of the parade to be held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday evening, Illinois Democratic elected officials are calling out President Trump for whats expected to be an expensive spectacle.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat in 2026, blasted the multi-million dollar parade that also coincides with Trump's 79th birthday:
"Today, Donald Trump is using tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to throw himself a birthday party fit for a king, or a dictator. He’s putting on a spectacle – not only to stroke his own ego, but to distract us from the fact that he’s ripping away healthcare from more than 10 million people, cutting food assistance for hungry children, and siccing federal troops on American cities.
"In America, we don’t bow to a king. We don’t serve a dictator. That’s been true for nearly 250 years, and that won’t change now. While Donald Trump continues to use the power of the presidency to look out for himself, I promise to continue fighting for you."
U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-Chicago) also is expected to speak at the "No Kings" rally around noon at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago to "protest against Donald Trump's regime."
8 a.m. - Suburban demonstrations
Multiple suburban communities are expected to see their own "No Kings" protests on Saturday.
They include Arlington Heights, Evanston, Orland Park, Highland Park, Oak Park, Geneva, Joliet, Des Plaines, Schaumburg, Mount Prospect and more.
7 a.m. - Businesses board up
Multiple businesses along State Street in downtown Chicago were boarded up in anticipation of Saturday's protests.
The preparations come after previous protests and marches in downtown Chicago over the last week in response to ICE arrests of immigrants in the area. While most of those protests were peaceful, there were instances in which protesters clashes with police officers and CPD squad cars were vandalized.
No Kings Protests: Chicago, cities around US gear up for mass demonstrations
From New York to California and almost everywhere in between, "No Kings" protests against President Donald Trump’s policies are happening in nearly 2,000 cities across the U.S. Saturday as a military parade rolls in Washington for the Army’s 250th anniversary.
No Kings protests
What we know:
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.
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 press release from No Kings.
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.
Earlier protests organized by 50501 had rallied against Trump and his former billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who led Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency to cut federal spending.
RELATED: No Kings Day protesters rally across the US
Anti-ICE demonstrators take to the streets in downtown Chicago
As Gov. Pritzker was testifying in Washington, protesters were marching again in Chicago on Thursday.
Recent Chicago protests
At least two large protests were held this week in downtown Chicago.
On Tuesday, hundreds of people flocked downtown to protest ICE raids across the country.
While the protests were mostly nonviolent earlier in the afternoon, there were some brief clashes between protesters and officers. Police squad cars were vandalized and there was one instance in which a car drove through the crowd amid rolling street closures.
Seventeen people were arrested, including three people who allegedly struck Chicago police officers.
On Thursday, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Chicago for an anti-ICE demonstration—shutting down Michigan Avenue during rush hour.
Unlike Tuesday's protest, however, things remained peaceful with no arrests, according to police.
Led by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), the crowd took to Michigan Avenue, marching north until they reached Wacker Drive.
As they rounded the corner, Wabash Avenue was blocked by salt trucks and fencing, which prevented demonstrators from getting any closer to Trump Tower.