What is 'No Kings' protest being planned in Chicago
What's the story
The "No Kings" protest is set to take place in Chicago on October 18. The demonstration is a continuation of the June 14 protests against the Donald Trump administration. Progressive organizations are expecting this event to be even larger than previous ones. The protests are aimed at civil rights violations, rising costs of living, abductions and disappearances, cuts to essential services, and attacks on free speech.
Movement impact
More about the protests
The "No Kings" protests are a nationwide movement against what protesters see as President Trump's dictatorial mindset. The slogan of the protest is "No thrones, No Kings, No Crowns." Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has described it as a rally of millions who believe in American freedom and oppose turning the country into an authoritarian state. The events are organized by the ACLU, American Federation of Teachers, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, the League of Conservation Voters, and MoveOn, among others.
Protest origin
First 'No Kings's protest
The first "No Kings" protest was held on June 14, organized by a coalition of groups including the 50501 Movement, Indivisible, ACLU and others. The date marked both Trump's birthday and the US Army's 250th Anniversary. The protests were strategically held in other cities to counter Trump's parade in Washington DC. While the events are scheduled across the country, Chicago's take place at a time of contentious ICE arrests and threats to deploy federalized National Guard troops to the streets.
Twitter Post
Events are planned across the nation
⚠️ In America, we don’t do “kings.” ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/m1Adel8g36
— No Kings Here (@Stop_Project25) October 16, 2025
Local impact
Why Chicago?
Local leaders have opposed federalizing the National Guard, with Mayor Brandon Johnson calling Trump a "tyrant" and "authoritarian." The event page states, "Our actions...resistance are necessary as Trump sends militarized agents into communities, silences voters and voices, and hands billionaires giveaways while families struggle." The progressive group Indivisible says No Kings protests are planned in cities including Los Angeles; Boston; Washington, DC.; Atlanta; New Orleans; Kansas City. Protests are even planned across Canada and as far south as Madrid, Mexico.