PEORIA, Ill.—A massive “No Kings 2.0” rally, in protest against the policies of the Trump administration was held Oct. 18 on the grounds of Peoria Stadium. An estimated 5,000 people showed up, lining both sides of War Memorial Drive from North Peoria Ave. to North Illinois Ave. In addition to the demonstrators, hundreds of drivers honked their horns in support of the action as they drove past.
“No Kings” is a protest slogan used to oppose the authoritarian and fascist leanings attributed to the Trump administration. The local action was organized by Peoria 50501.
The crowd roared chants, including, “No crown, no king, we the people pull the strings” and “No kings, no crowns, we the people will not back down.”
Peoria 50501 partnered with LULA, a local homelessness advocacy group for the event, encouraging people to donate wish-list items as well as money to the organization. A table was set up with information for LULA so that attendees could donate via Amazon Wishlist, Venmo, or Paypal.
Sonny Garcia, field director for Montez Soliz for Congress, gave a rousing speech, using lyrics attributed to the B-Side Players’ song “Armageddon” to get his point across.
“We’re not illegal, we are bilingual. We are the people and we are equal. So, power to the people of the sun,” Garcia said, “We no longer have to run in this Armageddon. Power to the people.”
Garcia said he started working for Soliz as a direct result of the actions of Rep. Eric Sorensen. Soliz is running against him in a primary.
“In June, Sorensen signed a resolution thanking ICE right after the L.A. mobilization,” Garcia said. “Soliz asked me to join this team, and I’ve been helping him get on the ballot ever since.”
Peoria 50501 social media committee leader Hillary Wasson organized a costume contest for the event. Many protesters wore inflatable animal costumes, which have become mainstays at protests nationwide. There were also costumes that included patriotic iconography such as Abraham Lincoln, the Statue of Liberty, and Uncle Sam.
The winner of the contest was a gentleman dressed as Elvis Presley, carrying a sign that said “The only KING we need.”
“We said ‘no kings’ but we will make an exception for The King,” Wasson said.
Peoria 50501 organizer Melissa Millinger led the crowd in both a collective scream, intended for group catharsis and a collective “ribbit.”
“Because, you know, frogs,” Millinger said. Frogs have become a symbol of the protest movements during the second Trump term ever since their appearance at demonstrations outside ICE facilities in Portland.
Peoria 50501 organizer Theresa Kuhlmann said that the purpose of the rally was to let the Trump administration know that the people do not support having a king or dictator. “We want to protect our democracy,” Kuhlmann said. “We want our representatives who were elected by the constituents you see here today to represent us.”
Ryan Cargill, a U.S. Marine who was deployed during Operation Desert Storm, attended the rally wearing a shirt that said “Veterans Against Trump” and carried a sign that said “Veterans Against Fascism.” He said that the stereotype of veterans supporting Trump is misguided.
“You keep hearing in the news that all the veterans voted for Trump, but none my friends did,” Cargill said. “I think we’re getting tired of being lumped into that group, so we just got to kind of voice our opinions a little more.”
Despite a couple of counter-protesters and police presence, the rally was entirely and totally peaceful, and the crowd dispersed without incident. Despite the Peoria City Council having passed a “nuisance gathering” bylaw earlier this month, no arrests were made.
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