Thousands Protest 'No Kings Day' in Elgin Against Trump

Rallies in Elgin and South Elgin draw crowds opposing the President's policies and actions.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:38pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Thousands of protesters filled the streets of Elgin and South Elgin on Saturday for 'No Kings Day' rallies, voicing opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration. The demonstrations were part of about 3,300 similar protests held nationwide, with participants carrying signs, chanting slogans, and generating a constant stream of car honks.

Why it matters

The Elgin-area protests reflect growing grassroots resistance to the Trump presidency, with organizers and participants citing concerns over 'injustice,' 'sleaze,' and 'unconstitutional abuses' from the administration. The rallies underscore the desire of many in the community to defend democratic values and institutions.

The details

In downtown Elgin, a crowd stretched from North Grove Avenue to Foundry Park on Route 31, while hundreds gathered on Randall Road in South Elgin. Protesters carried signs with messages like 'ICE Melts Under Resistance' and a UFO taking Trump away. Chants of 'Dump Trump' and 'Draft Barron' could be heard, along with the sound of car horns and cattle bells. The League of Women Voters Central Kane County set up a table, selling signs and advocating for voting rights, immigration reform, and other issues.

  • The 'No Kings Day' protests took place on Saturday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Cheryl Wilkins

A protester who wore a paper crown with a red slash mark across the top, saying she was compelled to attend because of 'the injustice, the sleaze, the evil.'

Lewis Wilkins

One of the Elgin event organizers, who believes that protests can elicit change if enough people participate.

Tina Perry

A protester who attended the rally with her 11-year-old son Zeke, wanting to show him his First Amendment rights and how to stand up and speak against things they disagree with.

Sally Van De Voorde

A protester who carried a sign showing a UFO taking Trump away, saying she wants to see the President out of office through impeachment or the 25th Amendment.

Patti Lackman

The co-president of the League of Women Voters Central Kane County, which set up a table at the South Elgin protest to advocate for voting rights, immigration, social justice, and other issues.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The academic research shows protests are extremely impactful. If people just want to come meet their neighbor, get some sunshine and get creative with signs, that's great. But at the same time, this is how communities form.”

— Lewis Wilkins, Elgin event organizer

“It shows we will not tolerate excess or unconstitutional abuses from our government. We are going to stand up in support of our constitutional republic. No Kings Day in America is because we believe in democracy.”

— Lewis Wilkins, Elgin event organizer

“I wanted to show him what our First Amendment right is. We have a way to stand up and fight and speak against things and show how we really feel.”

— Tina Perry, Protester

What’s next

Organizers say they plan to continue holding 'No Kings Day' protests in the Elgin area, with the goal of maintaining public pressure and awareness around the issues they care about.

The takeaway

The large turnout and passionate participation in the Elgin-area 'No Kings Day' protests demonstrate the strength of the grassroots resistance movement against the Trump administration's policies and actions. These rallies show that many in the community are committed to defending democratic values and using their voices to drive political change.