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CHICAGO (WLS) — Organizers of the “No Kings” movement anticipate a large turnout for a peaceful protest in Chicago, drawing participants from both the suburbs and city neighborhoods. The event is scheduled to commence at Butler Field in Grant Park on Saturday.
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Protester Alex Saucedo has crafted a handmade sign emblazoned with the phrase, “Democracy dies in silence.” This message, painted in bold red on a white poster board, underscores the theme of the upcoming “No Kings” demonstration in Chicago.
“Our goal is to highlight the necessity of making ICE aware that their presence is not needed here,” Saucedo asserted. “They are not welcome in Chicago.”
In preparation for Saturday’s gathering, Saucedo, accompanied by his wife, visited a Brighton Park art studio to create their protest signs. Mural artist Holiday Gerry, assisted by musician Samantha Rose, offered his studio as a community space, providing free materials for attendees to craft their “No Kings” signs.
“There’s a lot of buzz around this, and we expect a significant turnout,” expressed Holiday Gerry of Holiday Studios. “I wanted to open this space to foster connections within the community.”
Chicago is one of dozens of cities nationwide holding “No Kings” protests Saturday. Because of the recent ICE arrests in the Chicago area, organizers are expecting a much bigger crowd than the previous “No Kings” rally held in June.
“Authoritarianism wins when we decide we’re too scared to show up and defend our Constitution and our fundamental rights,” Personal PAC CEO and protest organizer Sarah Garza Resnick said. “It is going to be peaceful tomorrow. We are peaceful people who just believe in standing up for what is right.”
Garza Resnick’s organization Personal PAC is one of several organizations behind Chicago’s “No Kings” event. President Donald Trump and his administration have painted protest participants as left wing violent radical groups who are getting paid.
“This is their tactic,” Garza Resnick said. “Nobody is getting paid out there. I’m a mom.”
Promising a peaceful event, Garza Resnick expects people from all walks of life to participate.
Armed with a speaker and bullhorn, Samantha Rose says the protest will be a family affair. She is bringing her dad and her friends are bringing their kids. Rose does not view it as a partisan event.
“The political party is Americans for America, speaking up and using our right freedom of speech,” Rose said. “That’s what being American is.”
SEE ALSO | Arrests made as protesters return to Broadview ICE processing facility
After a two-hour program beginning at noon in Grant Park on Saturday, protesters will then march through downtown. The Chicago Police Department says it will have extra resources throughout the Loop.
