CHICAGO (WLS) — More protests over President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement are expected to get underway this weekend in the Chicago area.
Protesters gathered outside immigration court on Friday morning to oppose U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, but the Chicago Police Department is expecting a significantly larger attendance on Saturday.
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The department has asserted that its officers are well-versed in managing large-scale demonstrations and are ready for the “No Kings” rally, anticipated to draw thousands protesting against ICE and the Trump administration. CPD has canceled officers’ days off in order to manage the protest and other planned events throughout the weekend.
The “No Kings” protests nationwide are happening alongside a grand military parade set for Saturday in Washington, D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army and President Donald Trump.
READ MORE | Trump’s military parade: What to know about the Army anniversary event
Organizers say they want to pull attention away from the spectacle of military might and focus it on recent immigration raids.
With thousands expected downtown on Saturday, public safety is top-of-mind.
“It’s essential for getting the number of officers on the street that you need in order to enforce the laws and protect the citizens,” said Monterrey Security Director of Public Safety Anthony Riccio, who is also a former CPD first deputy superintendent. “We still have to police and patrol the neighborhood on a Saturday night or Sunday night in June.”
Two demonstrations flooded parts of the Loop earlier this week, and one resulted in 17 arrests following clashes with CPD. Riccio says heading into the weekend, officers are prepared to respond to any illegal behavior.
“When you identify those individuals, they are identified pretty quickly. You have to grab them and take them into custody, arrest them and remove them from the crowd. One thing I know for certain is bad behavior, criminal behavior, is contagious,” Riccio said.
Chicago Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Garien Gatewood says the city is in contact with the governor’s office and state authorities ahead of Saturday’s demonstration.
Chicago Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood joined ABC7 on Friday morning to talk about the protests, saying people should not be worried about heading downtown this weekend.
Gatewood says police want to make sure organizers safely exercise their First Amendment rights while keeping a close eye on people potentially trying to cause trouble.
“They have to walk with us. This is why we are walking with the organizers of the protest, marshals, to make sure they are in communication with us to keep them safe and pull out folks who want to be bad actors. The message is still heard,” Gatewood said.
This comes after a large wave of mostly peaceful protests on Thursday night.
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A sea of protesters could be seen holding signs, chanting and marching to voice their frustrations and anger with recent immigration raids in the area.
Demonstrators also marched and rallied near Chicago’s Trump Tower.
Thursday’s protest and march was a somewhat different picture than Tuesday’s protest, which saw 17 people arrested and charged in clashes with police.
READ MORE | Timeline: How ICE raids sparked LA protests and prompted Trump to send the military
Saturday’s protest in Chicago is set to take place at Daley Plaza.
CPD says its officers are ready to handle the large crowds and prepared with all necessary resources.
The Chicago Police Department shared the following statement:
“CPD has implemented regular day off cancellations and extended tours for full-duty sworn members this weekend to ensure we have sufficient resources in place at the many special events and planned demonstrations being held, as well as in our communities citywide. The Chicago Police Department will always work to protect those exercising their First Amendment Rights. 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. CPD has had extensive 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.”
List of “No Kings Day” protests across Chicago area
-Joliet: 10 a.m., North Larkin Avenue and West Jefferson Street
-Wheaton: 10 a.m., 311 S. Naperville Rd.
-Evanston: 10 a.m., 1601 Sherman Ave.
-Highland Park: 11 a.m., 1707 St. johns Ave.
-Geneva: 11:30 a.m., South Randall Road and Gleneagle Drive
-Highland, Indiana, 12 p.m., 41st and Ridge Road
-Shorewood: 1 p.m., 1100 block of North River Road
-Oak Park: 1 p.m. 800 Lake Street
-Des Plaines: 1 p.m., Wolf Road and Golf Road
-Mount Prospect: 2 p.m., 2 W. Northwest Hwy.
-Arlington Heights: 3 p.m., North Evergreen Avenue and East Eastman Street
-La Grange: 4:30 p.m., La Grange Road and Cossitt Avenue
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