On the same day that a military parade celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary that also coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, large protests against the Trump administration began in Chicago, the surrounding suburbs and across the country.
The protests follow large demonstrations in major cities opposing recent operations from Immigration & Customs Enforcement, stemming from demonstrations in Los Angeles that have led to the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines in recent days.
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WATCH HEREHundreds were marching across a number of demonstrations in the city and numerous suburbs, closing streets and blocking intersections as they went.
Live updates on Saturday's protests in the Chicago area can be found below:
Police aim to move crowd back towards Daley Plaza
A smaller crowd stayed near Daley Plaza and were asked by police to move off Washington Street as a presence of officers increases in the area.
Group begins to march back towards Daley Plaza
After stopping outside Trump Tower Chicago for a period of time, the demonstrators marched back towards Daley Plaza, according to NBC Chicago's Vi Nguyen.
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SIGN UP Demonstrators arrive at Trump Tower Chicago
A crowd of thousands in downtown Chicago arrived at Trump Tower after marching down multiple streets in the Loop.
March in downtown Chicago underway
Local
Demonstrators in downtown Chicago marched causing street closures as the massive crowd moved alongside police on downtown streets.
A heavy police presence was seen at the demonstration Saturday, with officers entirely lining the street on both ends and moving alongside protesters.
Rolling street closures expected in Loop due to protests
With demonstrators moving through downtown Chicago soon, the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications advised drivers to be aware of rolling street closures.
Street closures were initially in effect near 50 W. Washington St., according to OEMC.
Drivers are asked to seek alternative routes as demonstrations get underway.
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin addresses crowd at Daley Plaza ahead of Chicago's 'No Kings' rally
Longtime U.S. Senator Dick Durbin addressed the crowd at Chicago's Daley Plaza ahead of the scheduled rally in the city.
Other speakers were scheduled for the event, taking place ahead of the rally that is planned to take place from 12:30-2 p.m.
'No Kings' demonstrators in Naperville begin marching
According to Naperville police, a crowd that began demonstrating near City Hall moved through the city's downtown.
CTA Brown Line service delayed after bridge lift
Service on the CTA Brown Line was experiencing significant delays Saturday morning due to a raised bridge over the Chicago River near the Merchandise Mart stop, according to the transit agency.
Following the bridge lift, Brown Line trains resumed operation with residual delays, officials said.
Here's what else to know about this weekend's protests:
Chicago-area protests this weekend
Activists say they will hold even larger demonstrations in the coming days, with thousands of “No Kings” events across the country on Saturday to coincide with Trump’s planned military parade in Washington, D.C. According to organizers, "No Kings" protests are planned for both Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
Protests in nearly 2,000 locations are scheduled around the country, according to the No Kings website. The group lists events planned across the Chicago area, including Highland Park, Schaumburg, Elgin, Naperville, Joliet and more. Events will also be held in Chicago itself.
The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said, adding they are preparing for millions to take to the streets across the U.S.
The Trump administration has said immigration raids and deportations will continue regardless
Chicago police issued a statement amid reports of the planned protests, saying the department will "protect those exercising their First Amendment Rights," but also noted it will "not tolerate any criminal activity or violence."
"With public safety as our top priority, our planning and training for First Amendment assemblies are rooted in constitutional policing and the safety of all those participating, working and living in the affected areas," the department's statement read. "CPD has had significant experience handling and successfully securing large demonstrations throughout the past few years, including those related to the war in Gaza and the 2024 Democratic National Convention. We will continue to do the same with all future large-scale demonstrations. As we protect these assemblies, we will not tolerate any criminal activity or violence. Those in violation of the law will be held accountable."
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 people 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 press release from No Kings.
It is happening 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.”
No protests are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., however, where the parade will be held.
