A third “No Kings” rally is scheduled for Naperville as part of what organizers say is another nationwide outcry against authoritarian actions of President Donald Trump’s administration.
The event is set for 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at Rotary Hill and is expected to include a rally, march, music and singing — all in a peaceful and nonviolent manner, organizers say.
Groups including Indivisible Naperville, League of Women Voters of Naperville and the local chapter of the American Association of University Women are planning the rally, along with other faith-based and political advocacy organizations.
Leaders of the event say they will be part of a national effort that’s aiming to gather 9 million people, all “mobilizing against the current administration and promoting accountability and reform.”
Music will be a new emphasis at this protest, with a group called Singing Resistance Chicago West Burbs joining Carl Kennedy, music and worship director at DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church, in leading what organizers describe as an “upbeat, inclusive, participatory justice singalong.”
“We have a program designed to uplift people’s sense of community and solidarity; to reaffirm our values to stand by each other,” said Dianne McGuire, Indivisible Naperville co-leader. “And we’re doing it through music.”
Previous No Kings protests have taken place in Naperville and across the country in June and October 2025, with people and politicians expressing concerns about such issues such as health care and immigration enforcement. Organizers say the effort continues to gain momentum.
“No Kings attendance has increased each time because of the massive overreach of the federal government, along with the unprecedented corruption of this administration and flagrant disregard of the constitution and due process,” said Nancy Turner, co-leader of Indivisible Naperville. “Since the start of this administration, the president has been enabled by the Supreme Court and the Republican Congress, who have refused to put checks on his powers as president, resulting in what is at a minimum an imperial presidency.”
While local No Kings organizers are planning their event, DuPage County Republican Chairman Kevin Coyne said members of his party are considering a public action of their own “to decry the influence Gov. (JB) Pritzker is having on our politics.”
Coyne said Pritzker effectively “bought a Senate race for a lieutenant governor” with the way he financially supported Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s successful bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in the recent primary.
“And Pritzker supporters are screaming about ‘No Kings?’ It doesn’t make any sense,” Coyne said. “Our democracy was not intended for one rich guy and his ego to influence all the politics of a major state.”
Coyne said he thinks it’s “completely absurd” for Trump opponents in Illinois to protest against what they see as authoritarianism, which is why local Republicans may plan a protest of their own.
“Everything they raise tends to be hypocritical,” Coyne said, referring to protesters who oppose Trump but support Pritzker. “If they don’t like kings, why do they vote for one?”
McGuire, however, said the complaint from organizers of the third No Kings protest in Naperville isn’t about “Trump’s financial influence, but rather his behavior.”
“Donald Trump delights in deliberately violating the Constitution and flouting basic norms that presidents of both parties have followed for decades, if not centuries,” McGuire said. “Gov. Pritzker respects our Constitution, our laws and the rights of our residents.”
Before their planned rally on Saturday, No Kings organizers are hosting a poster-making party to prepare signs for the event.
“Now, more than ever, we need to make our voices heard in support of democracy and our constitution — and against the continued erosion of basic freedoms endowed by the Bill of Rights,” said Donna Cheesbrough, vice president of the League of Women Voters of Naperville. “By participating in No Kings 3, we are exercising our right to advocate for reform and hold our elected officials accountable.”
Marie Wilson is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
