Protests held in Chicago area for 'Good Trouble Lives On' day of action against Trump policies

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Activists in Chicago and suburbs protested President Donald Trump's policies Thursday.

Organizers said there were demonstrations at more than 1,600 locations across the country.

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The nationwide demonstrations were organized by some of the same groups that put together last month's "No Kings" rallies. The crowds were smaller than those demonstrations, but no less vocal.

There are about 20 organized events in the Chicago area on Thursday. They called it the "Good Trouble Lives On" national day of action in honor of the late Congressman John Lewis, who died exactly 5 years ago.

He coined The phrase "good trouble" while helping lead civil rights protest marches in the 1960s.

"Chicago, get in the way!" said Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association

In Chicago's Daley Plaza, there was a moment of defiance at one of the nationwide rallies.

"Demand a complete reversal of policies that are harming working families in your communities," said Jessica LaPointe, President of AFGE Council 220.

The rally was meant as a call for resistance and change in the face of the Trump administration's cuts in federal aid, stepped up immigration enforcement, use of the military and other actions these protesters say are an assault on civil liberties.

"Every day there's something different," rally attendee Keith West said. "Every day, there's something bad that goes on. We think it's going to get worse, and it does."

Protesters also gathered in Federal Plaza and in the suburbs, including Elgin and Naperville, for the "Good Trouble Lives On" day of action.

"This is our Selma moment," said Jonah Minkoff-Zern with Public Citizen's Democracy Campaign. "Let's make good trouble. Let's refuse to cooperate. Let's organize. Let's vote."

In the face of opposition, the White House is defending its cuts in federal assistance as an effort to eliminate fraud and abuse.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson remained unwavering in the face of federal funding cut threats.

"We will stand firm as a welcoming city ensuring that the immigrant community is protected," Johnson said.

Protest organizers vow to keep up the pressure with more nationwide rallies planned for the coming weeks.