A massive crowd packed downtown Chicago on Saturday for a “No Kings” rally in protest of President Donald Trump’s administration as it continues to carry out immigration enforcement efforts in the city.
Footage captured by NBC’s Sky 5 helicopter showed thousands gathered at Grant Park as a protest began at around noon.
The demonstration, which organizers called the “Hands off Chicago” rally, continued with a march through downtown, including along Michigan Avenue and near Trump Tower.
Large turnouts were seen at events across the nation in opposition to what some classified as increasingly authoritarian practices by the president. The day of protests marked the second round of demonstrations; several “No Kings” protests took place across the country in June.
Thousands packed the streets in downtown Chicago, including Israel Hernandez.
“One of the main reasons why I’m here for people who don’t have a voice, and they’re always afraid of living in the shadows, so we’re kinda fed up with it,” he said.
The protests come as Trump faces a legal battle to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. For weeks, federal agents have been on the ground for “Operation Midway Blitz” as they continue with ramped-up immigration enforcement.
“We do not need the National Guard here,” said Carol Taylor, who is from Alsip. “We do not need ICE here.”
“These are our streets, this is Chicago,” said Mia Gurrieri, a Schaumburg resident. “You don’t need to be from here to be protected.”
The demonstration was organized by several progressive coalitions, including the Indivisible Chicago Alliance.
“This is a day that we can all come together and speak in one voice and say no kings and hands off Chicago,” said Kathy Tholin, Indivisible Chicago Alliance organizer and leader.
Protesters walked peacefully through the streets, saying they were standing up for democracy and what they believe is right.
“I’m a teacher, and I see a lot of my students are sad, and I just don’t want them to live in fear,” said Maricela Saucedo from Blue Island.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker both addressed the crowd. Both fired back at the president.
“We do not want troops in our city,” Johnson said. “We will not allow our cities to be occupied.”
“Today we’re here to say with one voice that there is an existential threat to our constitutional republic. This is not a political choice—this is a moral imperative,” Pritzker stated.
Some conservative politicians have condemned the protests as “Hate America” rallies, while others say that it represents a “patriotic” fight for First Amendment rights.
The Cook County Republican Party responded to the demonstrations held across the city and suburbs with the following statement from Chairman Aaron Del Mar, who is a candidate for lieutenant governor:
“The “No Kings” protests happening around Cook County have the right idea — people are fed up with arrogance in government — but they’re aiming at the wrong target. If anyone deserves public outrage, it’s Governor J.B. Pritzker. He’s the one acting like a king, ruling by executive order, raising taxes, driving businesses out, and pretending he’s above accountability.”
from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/VlU6ngj
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