Thousands gathered in Daley Plaza and in suburban events in protests timed to coincide with a military parade in Washington celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

An estimated 2,000-plus people gathered for Women's March Rockford's "No Kings" protest, a march and rally held June 14 at the City Market Pavilion. They carried signs. They clamored for change. And when ACLU Coordinator Kathleen Dingle called them to send a loud message to Washington D.C. that "Rockford will have no king," they roared.

Similar protests are set to kick off in more than 1,000 cities across the country on Saturday. The rallies are intended to counter the military parade President Donald Trump has planned to mark the U.

Protests are planned for around central Illinois in response to sweeping immigration enforcement and deportations.

No Kings organizer Joshua Leingang criticized a recent visit to Springfield by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.