Massive crowd gathers for Peoria 'No Kings' protest

A protester dressed as a character from “The Handmaid’s Tale” television series walks stoically along the sidewalk as protesters cheer for passing vehicles during the “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 along War Memorial Drive at Peoria Stadium. “The Handmaid’s Tale” is based on a 1985 dystopian novel about a totalitarian America where fertile women are slaves to child-bearing.

An American flag flies upside down as vehicles pass by during a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 along War Memorial Drive at Peoria Stadium. The upside down flag is a sign of distress but has recently become a symbol of political protest.

Rosemary Gray of Bartonville sports an Abraham Lincoln costume she pulled together complete with a beard and bushy eyebrows as she joins hundreds of other protesters in a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 along War Memorial Drive at Peoria Stadium.

A protester bears a sign in the image of Pres. Donald Trump during a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 along War Memorial Drive at Peoria Stadium.

A massive crowd of protesters, including Mason Lewis of Peoria, dressed as a hot dog, line War Memorial Drive for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct, 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.

A huge crowd of protesters of all ages lined up along War Memorial Drive for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.

A protester brandishes a Kermit the Frog toy during a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 along War Memorial Drive at Peoria Stadium.

Thousands of protesters, many in costumes, and one in a ghillie suit, line up along War Memorial Drive for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.

Numerous costumed protesters took part in a “No Kings” rally along War Memorial Drive on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.

Protesters of all ages lined up along War Memorial Drive for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.

Protesters of all ages lined up along War Memorial Drive for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.

Natalie Newmun of Peoria wears a homemade wizard costume as she joins hundreds more along War Memorial Drive for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.

Protesters of all ages lined up along War Memorial Drive for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.

Dr. Jeanine Standard of Canton sports an inflatable chicken suit as she joins hundreds of other protesters for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 along War Memorial Drive near Peoria Stadium.

A giant inflatable Baby Donald Trump costume attracts some attention during a “No Kings” protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 along War Memorial Drive at Peoria Stadium.

A,huge crowd of protesters lines up along War Memorial Drive for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.

Corella Bair, right, of Peoria, dressed as Uncle Sam, joins Rosemary Gary of Bartonville, dressed as Abraham Lincoln, join hundreds of other protesters during a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 along War Memorial Drive at Peoria Stadium.

Drivers acknowledge a massive crowd of protesters lined up for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 along War Memorial Drive at Peoria Stadium.

Protesters lined up along War Memorial Drive for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.

A massive crowd of protesters lined up along War Memorial Drive for a “No Kings” rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 near Peoria Stadium.