Chicago braces for Saturday's No Kings protests

Axios

a day ago

Chicago leaders are urging calm as the city heads into a weekend of No Kings protests against President Trump's policies and military parade.
Why it matters: Saturday's protests are expected to be exponentially larger than Tuesday's demonstrations, which resulted in some vandalism and clashes with police.
Zoom in: No Kings organizers, including national progressive group Indivisible, have a stronger infrastructure and organizing track record than those who put together Tuesday's march in response to immigration actions in Los Angeles.
Catch up quick: Protests kicked off this month when demonstrators faced off with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers as they detained at least 20 people called in for supposed check-ins at an ICE facility in the South Loop.
Between the lines: Mayor Brandon Johnson says that this recent ICE escalation is meant to incite a reaction but that he believes Chicagoans proved last summer that they can hold large, peaceful, organized protests.
What they're saying: "We know that this president is determined to insert chaos," Johnson said at a Wednesday press conference. "Our responsibility is to continue to provide calm and structure to the situation."
We will "protect the fundamental right to protest and demonstrate peacefully, and if individuals work outside of those confines, will hold them accountable."
The other side: Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) has his doubts, saying that the 17 people arrested Tuesday night presented "a threat the city needs to take seriously."
He worries police will be stretched thin this weekend. "It's obvious a percentage of these protesters are determined to cause damage and anarchy," he tells Axios. "It's our challenge to not let them do so."
The intrigue: Immigration organizers note that the No Kings demonstrations are not about immigration but a broader list of grievances against the president.
They know, however, many in the undocumented community will want to participate, so they're advising them of the risks and urging them to be cautious.