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.

It was a message echoed across the nation at more than 2,000 protests attended by millions of Americans.

In Freeport, more than 500 people gathered for a similar event organized by the Stephenson County Democrats.

The keynote speaker at Rockford's event was Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who recently announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate.

Stratton praised the Rockford community for organizing and speaking out against "the corruption, theatrics and utter chaos" coming out of Washington," especially on June 14, the day of a $40 million parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army on Trump's 79th birthday.

"They're telling us our country is in debt because of our Social Security checks, Medicaid plans and SNAP benefits. Why? All to save a buck and give their rich friends another tax break," Stratton said. "Donald Trump is creating a spectacle today, and again why? Because he wants to distract us from the harm he is doing to our families."

Stratton called on people to demand better.

"In America, we don't bow to a king. We don't serve a dictator. ... That's been true for more than 250 years, and that will not change now."

Before a short march through the streets of Rockford's downtown, Mary McNamara Bernsten, co-chair of Women's March Rockford, introduced the leaders of several local organizations that are working in tandem to stand up for people's rights and encouraged rally attendees to get involved and support each other.

"It's a heavy time," McNamara Bernsten said, "and the heaviness is why this gathering means so much."

Corina Curry is the editor of the Rockford Register Star and Freeport Journal-Standard. She can be reached at [email protected].