An electronic billboard advertisement for the Sears Tower‘s observation platform saying “Best Views of the Chicago” on Dearborn St overlooking a Washington Blue Line stop, contrasted with a protest art piece in the crowd. The crowd spilled out of Daley Plaza and into surrounding streets. 6/14/25.

By Domnic Guanzon

Saturday, 6/14/25

*A protester wearing the Mexican flag with a sign that says “VIVA LA RAZA.” Daley Plaza, 6/14/25.*

THE LOOP, CHICAGO – Tens of thousands packed Daley Plaza and marched through downtown for the “No Kings” protest, organized mainly by Indivisible and the ACLU, with 50501 as a partner/supporting organization, and endorsed by others. The event was meant to protest President Trump’s military parade and birthday celebration in D.C., coinciding with No Kings rallies across the country.

Attendees were shoulder-to-shoulder at Daley Plaza, first spilling out onto the street before extending out of the block in every direction, overshadowing the April “Hands Off” protest. The The rally began at noon, with people continuously pouring in. The Coalition Against the Trump Agenda joined after holding an 11:00 rally at Federal Plaza, further bolstering numbers. Block Club Chicago reported the Indivisible number of 75,000 protesters.

A branch of the march on Wabash St, one of several the leave the plaza and reunite at Trump Tower.The Loop, 6/14/25.

The No Kings march began at approximately 13:15. At one point, the march split into at least two major formations, culminating in two rivers of people power – one from up Wabash, one going east on Wacker – converging just across the Chicago river from Trump Tower. Protest marshals were present for a heavy police presence, with National Lawyers Guild green hats observing.

*A pro-Palestinian protester. The Mag Mile, 6/14/25.*

The Coalition for Justice in Palestine (USPCN, SJP, and more) protested at Water Tower Park as the No Kings march was wrapping up. The rally began at approximately 14:00, first growing to about 250. Chant leaders worked from a pickup truck outfitted with a PA system adorned with flags from around the Global South. In addition to pro-Gaza sentiments was condemnation of Israel’s recent bombing of Iran.

The Coalition for Justice in Palestine march kicked off at ~15:00 from Water Tower Park to first down, then up The Mag Mile, culminating in approximately 400 marchers. Chant leaders were at the front, riding the PA truck seen at previous protests. The commercial symbolism of The Mag Mile was invoked, with chant leaders calling out Starbucks when passing by the Reserve Roastery. NLG green hats were present for a light police presence.

*A protester with a Palestinian flag. The Mag Mile, 6/14/25.*

In the afternoon, a standoff occurred when several hundred protesters from the No Kings rally remained on the streets around Daley Plaza after refusing a police order to move, according to live Bluesky posts from street journalism group Unraveled.

Protesters chanted against ICE and CPD, with one protester performing “traditional Spanish folk dance” on the line. CPD positioned themselves on all sides of the plaza with police lines, but allowed people to leave. Police vans (“paddy wagons”) were positioned side-by-side on Dearborn, likely for swift detainee removal in the event of mass arrest, but none materialized. The situation dissolved around 17:30.

A protester holds a sign towards a CPD officer on the police line during a standoff at Daley Plaza. 6/14/25.

CBS News later reported an armed man was arrested for impersonating a police officer, in an unrelated, but startling mirror to the shootings of Minnesota state legislators that morning.