Voices were raised, posters were lifted up into the air, and crowds gathered as thousands of people flooded into Grant Park, rallying with signs and waving a myriad of flags. Families, friends, and people from all across Chicago came together to denounce the actions of the Trump administration.
This protest, known as the No Kings Protest, became worldwide news as millions of people came together against President Trump’s administration. First organized for June 14 earlier this year, the demonstrations were rejuvenated on Oct. 18, not only in Chicago but all 50 states, as well as 17 other countries.
While the protest’s purpose was to get the attention of the government and inspire other people to take action, it also created a sense of community for Chicagoans, including many Jones students who felt passionate about the cause.
“It was honestly like a bonding moment, with so many different people that you wouldn’t normally see, because everyone’s coming together under one cause to protest,” said Susie Bryant ‘27.
The assembly of over 250,000 people at both the rally and the march in Chicago was formed under shared ideas.
“It’s nice being around people who have similar beliefs as you, and it’s important for people to feel a sense of community in that way,” said Sydney Rosen ‘27.
But events like No Kings are not the sole place where these similar political views can be found. Within the city, this is generally a common opinion among its residents, creating the political environment spurring the protest.
“Sometimes living in Chicago, it feels like [Trump] shouldn’t have won, just because we’re surrounded by so many people who didn’t vote for him and really just despise him,” said Rosen.
The inspirational gathering was a form of opposition that was available for all people, despite other options being more difficult for some to join.
“I think a lot of people don’t really see themselves as someone who can make a change because like, we’re so young we can’t even vote,” said Bryant. “So I want to show that I can still make a change, and show people that I support them and I’m there with them.”
Support for all groups of people is vital to the purpose of the protest, and this solace was found in the turnout.
“Since Trump won, I kind of felt like I was alone in everything, and there weren’t other people who believed the things I did,” said Rosen. “But being in a crowd of people who did was really refreshing.”
Bonding moments between attendees created a comforting atmosphere for everyone there.
“Even though people were protesting something very wrong, it was still very uplifting. People around you would be like ‘Oh, that’s such a great sign’ and you would lead chants together,” said Bryant.
The creation of this community was not only in-person in Chicago, however. It also crossed state borders in the knowledge of shared participation in the event.
“I think it’s important to show like this is what the people in Chicago care about, and all over the country, even in places like very Republican Texas were protesting to show everybody thinks it’s not okay,” said Rosen.
But the ideas presented in the No Kings protest are not shared entirely across the whole nation.
“It’s sad that some people say like the people who are protesting are too emotional about it, or it doesn’t really matter,” said Bryant. “But people are genuinely concerned about their safety and if they’re able to come home at night, and people are still like, ‘You’re just too soft.’”
Despite the opposition to stances of No Kings, the gathering provided a community and a start to a bigger movement.
“It got people’s attention,” said Rosen. “I think the message was upholding what it means to be an American, like having a democracy. I don’t know if it was necessarily achieved, but I think each time something like this happens, we’re getting closer.”
Participating in protests like this one is important to advance the cause, and can be one of the many ways to make an impact.
“Your voice is a power in itself, and it’s important to spread awareness because we are the future,” said Rosen.
