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Springfield rallies for ‘No Kings’

Springfield rallies for ‘No Kings’

Rallygoers at a "No Kings" event, Springfield IL, Oct. 17, 2026 Photo: Saga Communications/Dave Dahl


SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Hundreds filled the intersection of Second Street and Capitol Avenue Saturday for a “No Kings” rally.

One speaker, Karen Broquet of Capital City Illinois Indivisible, said the “No Kings” movement is non-partisan. However, “being non-partisan does not mean that we’re not paying attention,” Broquet told the crowd. “And it doesn’t mean we’re not sick of the corruption, the pardons, the cruelty, the lying, the inflation, and the – my God, the incompetence!” She added voter suppression is a problem, and not a new one – just ask a person of color who has tried to vote.

“The first three words in our Constitution are We the People,” said Diana Elshref of the Islamic Society of Greater Springfield. “Not We the Rich, not We the Influential, not We the Politicians. It says We the People.” Elshref is also vice president of the Faith Coalition for the Common Good, an organization behind Saturday’s rally.

Singalongs included old favorites such as “This Land Is Your Land,” as well as some with re-worked lyrics. “Sweet Caroline” and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” became anthems for early voting.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

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