‘You will never break Chicago’: No Kings Protest Returns

Thousands gathered in Chicago as part of the second nationwide “No Kings” protest, one of over 2,700 protests being held across all 50 states Oct. 18.

The demonstration drew a wide range of participants including elderly Chicagoans handing out pamphlets, adults with young children and college students. Others wore costumes or clothing tied to the movement, while some were draped in flags or coordinating colors, contributing to the visible presence of the crowd.

Protests began at noon, as crowds gathered in Grant Park to hear from Chicago officials. Thousands of signs hovered above the crowd — some humorous, and some urgent — with messages reading, “CHICAGO REJECTS FACISM!”, “POWER TO THE PEOPLE” and “I Like America How I Like My Beer: no ICE.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed demonstrators, asking if they were ready to defend democracy, fight facism and destroy authoritarianism once and for all.

“I want to make this point empathically clear — the attempt to divide and conquer this nation will not prevail because when the people are united, justice always prevails,” Johnson said.

Johnson said Trump is using ICE as his private militarized occupying force, and the only two entities receiving more funding than ICE are the U.S. military and China’s military.

“We do not want troops in our city,” Johnson said. “We will not allow our cities to be occupied.”

President Donald Trump has recently shifted the largest concentration of upward wealth into the hands of the ultra rich and large corporations in the nation’s history, according to Johnson. He said he urges working people of all backgrounds from around the globe to stand up to billionaires in the interest of corporations.

Johnson said some billionaires and corporate leaders want Americans to have sympathy for them, since they’ve just received the greatest taxes at the expense of healthcare, housing, education, transportation and good paying jobs.

“We have declared that we will defend our democracy,” Johnson said. We will defend our humanity, we will tear down tyranny and we will do it together.” 

Protest speaker Bob Ryder voiced his frustrations towards Trump’s leadership.

“He’s screwing the economy,” Ryder said to the crowd. “His attack on labor, his attack on unions — he’s destroying the freedom workers have to fight for their rights on the job.”

Ryder said he’s angry with Trump’s king-like behavior, citing shredded public services, denied healthcare to individuals and the lowest approval rating in U.S. history.

“Our city is under attack by the federal government and Donald Trump thinks he can break Chicago or any city,” Ryder said. “Well here’s some news for you — you will never break Chicago.”

After the statement, the crowd broke into chants of “U.S.A.,” their voices resounding through the park.

“Stop abusing our workers, and stop abusing our government,” Ryder said.

Congresswoman Delia Ramirez began her speech with a chant to the crowd. 

“When I say people, you say power,” she said.

Ramirez said she wants people’s powerful voices to be heard from Chicago to Washington D.C. and every corner of the country.

“No kings,” Ramirez said. “Never. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”

People of immigrant status are increasingly viewed as threatened and targeted, according to Ramirez. She unapologetically affirmed her identity, stating she is the proud daughter of Guatemalan immigrants. 

U.S. democracy is under attack by a wannabe dictator who, for the last 9 months, has built everything around trying to erase the crimes of himself and the ICE gestapos, Ramirez said, referring to the Nazi-Germany gestapos, a secret police force who caused terror and oppression during their regime. 

“They’re doing everything they can to take over our country and normalize violence, normalize cruelty and they want us to be okay with what they’re doing so that you won’t question what they do next,” Ramirez said.

“We are for the people, by the people,” Ramirez said, ending her speech.

Governor JB Pritzker addressed the rally, stating it’s not a political choice, but a moral imperative to participate.

“Black and brown people are being rounded up because of the color of their skin, children are being zip-tied and separated from their parents, worshippers coming from church are being questioned and detained and workers are being harassed and detained in our shops and restaurants,” Pritzker said. “These are not extractions. These are people who pay taxes, own businesses, teach our children, care for our elderly and contribute to the fabric of our society.” 

Pritzker said the normalization of tactics by the federal government concerns him the most.

“When we accept the idea that the color of your skin is probable cause to detain you without due process, that Trump can build a massive enforcement apparatus with no Constitutional limits — they corrode the foundations that protect all of us,” Pritzker said. “Chicago, is that okay with you?”

The crowd answered in unison, “No.”

Pritzker said Trump and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller are targeting immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals and political opponents. He quoted Martin Niemöller, a German pastor who spoke out against the Nazi regime, saying, “Then they came for me, and there was no one else to speak for me.”

The precedents set today become the justifications for tomorrow’s abuses, Pritzker said. When people allow tyrannical policies against any group, tyranny is possible against every group.

“What Trump didn’t count on is Chicago coming together to stand up for freedom, individual rights and American values,” Pritzker said. “Peaceful democratic resistance is always scary to authoritarians.”

The march began around 1:30 p.m., moving down Jackson Drive toward Buckingham Fountain.

Protestors chanted in unison behind drummers, reciting “Whose streets? Our streets,” and “The people united will never be divided.”

As the march continued, individuals shared why they came and what the protest meant to them.

Hair stylist Muriel Dee, 36, showed up to the protest in a white Elvis costume — a humorous ode to the King of Rock and Roll. She was inspired to attend after witnessing how Trump’s healthcare policies impacted her boyfriend’s kidney transplant last year.

“Going through that changed a lot for me,” Dee said. “When you’re sitting in a hospital, watching someone you love fight for their life, you realize how much policy and leadership actually shape people’s chances to survive.”

Dee said the protests brought together people of all backgrounds, which created a powerful atmosphere.

“It felt like democracy had a heartbeat again,” Dee said. “I brought one of my friends with me who was the most introverted person and for her to feel comfortable — that’s awesome.”

Pharmaceutical representative Victoria Lex, 24, said she’s seen the division between the right and left sides throughout her upbringing. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she said she wanted to use her voice to advocate for marginalized groups, especially those who couldn’t attend because of safety reasons.

“Seeing everyone there doesn’t feel so hopeless,” Lex said. “Maybe I alone can’t make much traction and movement, but as a community we can.”

Lex said she wants to use her privilege to be a voice for others because remaining silent causes more harm.

“We all need to be banding together,” Lex said. “This isn’t one side versus the other.” 

Graduate student from University of Nebraska at Omaha SJ Hall, 26, said she never wants to look back on a situation and wish she could’ve done more. She said the protest was a great way to gather and let people’s voices be heard.

“My roommate and I are constantly talking about what’s happening in politics,” Hall said. “What stuck out the most was going from our little apartment, where it was one other person and I agreeing, to where hundreds of thousands of people feel the exact same way. It feels less isolating.”

Hall said she’s frustrated the government isn’t upholding the idea of the “American Dream,” where each individual should be valued for their differences.

“This isn’t the America we were promised when we were young, or what we’re expected from the Constitution,” Hall said. “This is pro-America. We and the country deserve better and deserve to be heard … it’s pro-American to fight against tyranny.”

Third-year criminal justice and psychology major at Loyola Abi Jalson said she wants people to know the protest demonstrated Americans standing up for their values, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

“I’m seeing a lot of people opposed to the protest, saying that this is Anti-American, but I think it’s quite the opposite,” Jalson said. “This protest kind of symbolizes patriotism and a lot of people at the protest emanated that.”

Regarding coverage on protests and other political events, Jalson said the media tends to cherry pick what information is made available to the public.

“Yeah, the media is biased, but it’s on citizens to recognize that and look at stuff across different platforms,” Jalson said.

Protests continued through the Loop, down Michigan Avenue and ended at Trump Tower around 4 p.m.

The No Kings protest made clear Chicago will stand firm in its defiance. Closing out the rally, Pritzker captured the meaning of the protest.

“Resistance and survival are in our American blood,” Pritzker said. “People are here today standing up for our Constitutional rights and our economic freedom, and that is what resistance looks like.”