ROCKFORD, Ill. (WREX) — An estimated 5,000 people filled Haight Park on Saturday for a 'No Kings' rally, part of a nationwide effort that drew more than 2,500 demonstrations across the country.
Participants rallied to denounce what organizers call authoritarian policies, calling for democracy, justice, and the rule of law. Local leaders joined the crowd to echo that message.
Mayor Tom McNamara urged unity and civic engagement, saying, "We need to stand together for our neighbors, our communities and the ideals our nation was built upon. We need to take action. The action we take today builds hope. We will send a message to the president that we are a nation of Constitutional Law, not Marshall Law. We reject tyrants. We reject dictators. We reject KINGS. We are here today to stand togeth