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ICIRR is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society.
The fight doesn’t end here.
No Kings was a beginning — a reminder that power belongs to the people, not to those who would rule over us. The work now is to stay ready, stay connected, and keep fighting back.
There will be more mass protests in our future, but before that, there will be authoritarian overreach to defend against…and quickly. What we do will change week to week. Whatever the moment requires, we’ll adapt. Because authoritarianism doesn’t stand alone — it survives on silence, complicity, and cash flow. The No Kings Alliance is simple: make it impossible for anyone — in power, in profit, or in denial — to quietly capitulate.
‘Nothing Is More American Than Opposing A Tyrant’: Northwest Suburbanites Turn Out For Democracy Rally
By Sherry Giewald as posted in the Journal & Topics
October 20, 2025
Thousands of people poured into Arlington Heights’ Recreation Park carrying signs, holding flags and wearing inflatable costumes for the No Kings protest Saturday afternoon.
Messages on signs included: Alexa, Change the President; We the People Serve No Kings; Immigrants Are Loved; Cats Against Fascism (with pictures of cats); and Nothing is More American Than Opposing a Tyrant.
The originators of No Kings in America rallies have a simple message: America is a democracy, not a dictatorship.
U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-3rd), whose district includes small portions of Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect and Des Plaines in the Journal & Topics coverage area, was the headlining speaker. Guest speakers included Patti Vasquez from WCPT.
The event was organized by a coalition of 15 groups, many with informational tables. At the Northwest Suburbs Organization for Action table, co-leader Bill Davis’s 34-foot blow-up Trump chicken was on display.
Local chapters of Indivisible, one of the main organizers of the nationwide event, were well represented.
Glenview resident Regina Ramos, with the Des Plaines chapter of Indivisible, works as an ESL teacher at Oakton College in Des Plaines. “I decided to be part of this group because a lot of my students are from Des Plaines,” she said. “Many of them are refugees and are very motivated to learn English to be able to have a better life.”
Her husband, Jeffrey Pelton, was dressed as the Burger King and carried a sign that said “Down With this Sort of Thing”. “My wife is very involved, and I’m politically aligned with her,” he said. “I’m here for moral support and to lift stuff for her, move barrels, move signs, whatever I need to do.”
An Arlington Heights resident, who declined to give her name, came out with her 7-year-old daughter to show her how to use her voice peacefully. “Our country is not in a good state,” she said. “I’ve got kids.”
Jill O. from Rolling Meadows and a member of Elk Grove Township Indivisible was at the event “because the way our country is going, we need to try to save it,” she said. “This is our third rally and we’re going to keep going.”
Lynn K., also a volunteer with the Elk Grove Township chapter, said, “We’re hoping people realize they’re not alone in believing that what is happening in our country is wrong.”
Long Grove resident Gerould Kern agreed. “Complaining is not enough,” he said. “We’ve got to show up and stand up.”
Some protesters were celebrating their right of free speech and assembly. “We are excited to stand up for democracy and show how many people are with us,” said Michelle Beckemeier of Barrington. “We want to stand up for our rights as citizens.”
Marlene McArthur of Glenview came to the event because she was too late for the Buffalo Grove event and had to be at one of them. “I came out to support democracy and the constitution,” she said. “There's no other option.”
Bonnie Brenner of Morton Grove held a sign that said “No Kings Since 1776”.
“Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger,” said Leah Greenberg, co-founder with Ezra Levin of Indivisible. “No Kings is more than just a slogan — it’s the foundation that our nation was built upon.”
Organizers of the event include Indivisible Elk Grove Township, Elk Grove Township Democrats, Barrington Democrats, Barrington Indivisible, Greater Area Palatine Democrats, Wheeling Democrats, Maine Township Democrats, Indivisible Des Plaines, NWSOFA, The Democratic Party of DuPage County, Indivisible Skokie-Morton Grove-Lincolnwood, Indivisible Naperville, and Lake County Democrats. Event sponsors were ACLU Illinois and Indivisible Illinois.
Organizers estimated attendance at Saturday’s rally in Arlington Heights reached 12,000.
Organizers Say 6,000 At ‘No Kings’ Rally In Arlington Heights
Thousands gathered for “No Kings” protests throughout Chicago and the suburbs Saturday (June 14), with an estimated 6,000 in Arlington Heights proclaiming, “No kings in America.”
The Arlington Heights demonstration was organized by a new group, Indivisible Elk Grove Township, and featured 10 speakers including several elected public officials.
“We had an incredible lineup of speakers headlined by U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, State Rep. Nicole Grasse, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison and Jesse Rojo (Illinois Veterans for Change), among others,” said Indivisible Elk Grove Township chapter founder Lynne S. (who said she would not provide her last name due to security reasons).
Organizers credited support and cooperation from Arlington Heights village officials and police to help mount the large yet peaceful event.
“This is our first event and we are thrilled at how it came together, but we’ve only just begun and we won’t stop until governmental injustice ends and democracy is fully restored,” Lynne S. said.
The new Indivisible Elk Grove Township chapter was founded in May.
This article by Tom Robb, was originally published on
June 18, 2025 in Journal & Topics.
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