GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Thousands of protests against immigration raids authorized by President Donald Trump’s administration are planned across the nation this weekend, including right here Northeast Wisconsin.
More than 50 protests are set to take place in our state, in places such as Green Bay, Oshkosh, Shawano and Manitowoc, to name just a few.
Organizers and supporters are calling Saturday the “No Kings Day of Defiance.”
“It would be fine if [Trump] would follow the law, follow due process, do what presidents usually have done, but he has not — and it has infuriated people to the point where they need to do something and show that they don’t like what’s going on — and this is one way we can do it,” says Jan Koch, chair of the Democratic Party for Shawano and Menominee counties.
These peaceful protests are intended to oppose what organizers call an “extremely authoritarian and corrupt” Trump administration. They come as ICE raids intensify in communities throughout the United States.
Those raids prompted days-long clashes that began in Los Angeles, where Trump deployed the National Guard and Marines without consent from California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Protests have erupted in cities across the nation ever since.
But scenes like what’s happening in L.A. are not at all expected in other communities, including Green Bay.
Police Chief Chris Davis says they’ll have extra patrols in the area in anticipation of the protest, but don’t expect any major disruptions.
“In this case, these are organizers we’ve worked with before. We’ve had successful events with them before. That’s usually a good sign, and we’re just not seeing a lot of the signs for risk for some of the things you’re seeing in some larger cities. We will be prepared for anything, obviously, and we absolutely will not tolerate illegal activity,” Davis said.
Davis points out that protesting is not illegal, and that criminal activity is not protesting. He says the department’s goal is to ensure that groups can express their views in a safe and orderly manner.
Brown County Republicans say the protests don’t feel organized.
“I don’t know exactly what they’re protesting, with respect to our federal government enforcing federal law — particularly deporting illegal aliens that have committed crimes or that are violent. I think this is an overwhelmingly favorable issue and again, I just don’t know what the claim is, or what the argument or protest is,” says Doug Reich, chair of the Brown County Republican Party.
“The other side wants for us to be afraid, and we can’t be afraid. We need to stand up for our democracy, and this is the way to do it,” Koch argued.
The protests are scheduled for June 14, which is Flag Day, in an effort to distract from Trump’s military parade in Washington D.C., which is costing up to an estimated $45 million. It’s also Trump’s 79th birthday.
“This seems to be a protest that is intended to offend supporters, patriotic Americans, that support our flag and our community and our president,” Reich says.
Area Republicans also claim, without evidence, that the “No Kings Day” events are being funded by billionaire George Soros, in an effort to overthrow federal law.
In a statement Representative Tony Wied, R-8th District, says:
It’s fitting that a far-left dark money organization like Indivisible would host a Nationwide Day of Defiance to coincide with the celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday since everything they stand for is counter to what makes the United States the greatest country in the world.
Saturday’s event in Green Bay will be held at Leicht Park from 5-7 p.m.
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