The nationwide “No Kings” movement is set to return to the streets of Illinois this Saturday, Oct. 18, in response to recent actions by the Trump administration and the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.
The demonstrations are scheduled across dozens of Illinois cities, including Chicago, Springfield, Rockford and Peoria.
For those planning to join the rallies, here’s what you should know about which rights are protected and what actions should be avoided.
Know your rights: What protesters can and can’t do in Illinois
Protestors are granted certain freedoms under the First Amendment, including the right to:
These rights come with limitations, however.
Though not exhaustive, here are a few rules Illinois protestors must follow, according to the ACLU of Illinois and Illinois Legal Aid Online.
Can police disperse protests?
Police may shut down a protest through a dispersal order, according to the ACLU of Illinois, but it must be used as a last resort in situations where there is a clear and present danger of riot, disorder or interference with traffic, as well as any other immediate threats to public safety.
If officers choose to do so, they must provide protestors a reasonable opportunity to comply with the order, including sufficient time and a clear, unobstructed exit path, ACLU says.
Demonstrators must be given clear details concerning the order before they are arrested or charged with any crime, according to ACLU. These include information about how much time they have to disperse, the consequences of failing to do so, and what clear exit route they can follow.
What to do if you believe your rights have been violated
ACLU of Illinois suggests the following:
What to do if you are stopped by police
What are ‘No Kings’ protests?
The protest’s organizer, Indivisible, originally planned the June 14 demonstration as a “nationwide day of defiance” in response to the $40 million military parade President Donald Trump orchestrated on his birthday.
The movement preaches the idea that “America has No Kings,” and says, “Now, President Trump has doubled down,” referencing the recent actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, healthcare cuts and more.
“The president thinks his rule is absolute,” the site says. “But in America, we don’t have kings and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption and cruelty.”
When and where are ‘No Kings’ protests in Illinois? ‘No Kings’ protests near me
The times and addresses of the Oct. 18 protests scheduled in Illinois can be found below. Events without addresses have private locations, and more details can be found after signing up on the “No Kings” website.
Tom Vanden Brook contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: ‘No Kings’ rallies return Oct. 18. What protesters can and can’t do under Illinois law
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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