‘I love my country’: ‘No Kings’ protests draw crowds against Trump in Buffalo Grove, other suburbs

Sign-waving demonstrators took to streets across the suburbs Saturday to express their disapproval of President Donald Trump’s policies as part of national “No Kings” rallies.

A rally in Buffalo Grove was particularly well attended, with more than 1,000 protesters occupying all four corners at Route 83 and Lake-Cook Road.

Many hoisted signs with messages such as “America Needs Kindness,” “Melt ICE” and “Enough is Enough.” Others raised banners of many colors and meanings — from the red, white and blue of the U.S. flag to the light blue, pink and white stripes that represent transgender pride.

Demonstrators found allies among the drivers who whizzed past them. Many honked their horns in solidarity and yelled encouragement.

“Rock on, rock on,” a woman driving a silver minivan hollered through an open window while she waited on Lake-Cook Road for a red light to turn green.

Buffalo Grove resident Liz Cooper was among the demonstrators in her hometown.

Wielding a homemade sign reading “I Love My Country,” Cooper said she doesn’t like what’s happening to the U.S.

“I’m worried about my kids and grandkids growing up in this nonsense,” she said.

Democratic Lake County Board member Mariah Altenberg of Buffalo Grove was there, too, along with fellow board member Paul Frank of Highland Park.

“The Buffalo Grove area is very democratic and wants Washington to hear our cries,” Altenberg said.

A smaller demonstration took shape at Heritage Park in Wheeling, not far from village hall, the police station and the Community Recreation Center. About 200 demonstrators waved signs at passing cars and chanted slogans including “ICE out of Wheeling.”

Wheeling has a sizable Hispanic population and has been a target of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents since Operation Midway Blitz launched last fall.

The Wheeling rally included remarks from Wheeling High School students and other activists. They talked about the immigration crackdown, rising gasoline and grocery prices and other concerns.

When the speeches were over, the demonstrators marched to nearby Dundee Road and lined the south side of the busy street. Plenty of drivers honked their horns as they went by.

Pairs of uniformed police officers observed the peaceful crowd from distances throughout the event.

In Palatine, several hundred anti-Trump demonstrators lined both sides of Northwest Highway at Hicks Road. Someone also brought a giant inflatable chicken that bore a resemblance to the president.

David Mullaly of Kildeer said the Trump administration is dangerous and he accused Republican lawmakers of not caring.

“I care about the Constitution. I care about the Bill of Rights,” Mullaly said. “We hope democracy survives.”

• Daily Herald staff writer Joe Lewnard contributed to this report.