Local organizers are planning simultaneous Free America Walkout events in Champaign and Urbana, aligned with a national Women’s March action.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Protesters march through the streets of downtown Chicago during the 2017 Women's March on Chicago on a beautiful day on January 21. An estimated 250,000 people took to the streets on the day after of Donald Trump's first inauguration. This event was part of a global Women's March movement, making it one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history at the time. The Women's March is organizing a national walkout for later this month.
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA - Two protests organized under the banner of the “Free America Walkout” are scheduled to take place simultaneously in Champaign and Urbana on January 20, part of a nationwide day of action promoted by Women’s March.
The Free America Walkout calls on participants to leave work, school, and commerce at 2 p.m. local time to demonstrate support for what organizers describe as American democratic values. According to the Women’s March website, a total of 903 protests are planned nationwide during the walkout.
In Champaign-Urbana, organizers have planned two separate but concurrent events, one in Champaign near Parkland College and another on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana. Similar events are also planned in other Illinois cities. Joliet, Peoria, Springfield, Ottawa, and Chicago have organized walkouts scheduled at the same time.
The Champaign walkout will begin at 2 p.m. at the parking lot of the Dodds Softball Complex, located south of Parkland Way. Participants are asked to gather at the lot and, around 2:20 p.m., begin walking toward Mattis Avenue along Parkland Way. Organizers say participants may choose to remain at the corner of Mattis Avenue and Parkland Way to wave signs and chant or walk back toward Perimeter Road with the group. The event is expected to conclude around 3 p.m.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Protesters march along Illinois Street in Urbana at the October No Kings protest. In addition to the Free America Walkout, Champaign will host a Cold & Bold - March for America on Sunday, January 18.
Organizers note there are no sidewalks along portions of the route, but say it is walkable. Public Safety has been informed of the event and has asked participants to respect roadways and the flow of traffic. Those unable to walk the route are encouraged to participate by remaining in the parking lot, forming a caravan, or sitting along Parkland Way and joining in as the group passes.
Signs, musical instruments, and chanting are encouraged but not required, and chanting sheets will be available. Participants are asked to dress appropriately for the weather and use caution along roadways. Organizers emphasize that a core principle of the event is a commitment to nonviolent action and de-escalation. Weapons of any kind, including legally permitted ones, are not to be brought to the event.
At the same time, a second Free America Walkout will take place on the University of Illinois campus. The campus protest is scheduled to gather at 2 p.m. on the Main Quad, located at 607 South Mathews Avenue in Urbana.
Organizers of the campus event describe the walkout as a response to what they characterize as an escalating threat to communities one year into President Donald Trump’s second term. In statements provided by organizers, they reference raids, military presence in cities, immigration enforcement, mass surveillance, and other actions as reasons for the protest. They describe the walkout as both a protest and a promise, calling on participants to turn away from what they label fascism and disrupt “the normal routines of power.”
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Unlike the weather for the 2017 Chicago Women's March and past protests since President Trump has taken office for his second term, the forecast calls for a high of just 20 degrees on the day of both protests in Champaign-Urbana. Organizers urge participants to dress appropriately for the weather and be careful along all roadways.
The Women’s March website echoes similar language, stating that participants nationwide are being asked to withhold labor, participation, and consent during the walkout. “A free America begins the moment we refuse to cooperate,” the organization states, describing the event as a coordinated national action occurring at the same time across hundreds of locations.
Both Champaign-Urbana events are scheduled for January 20 at 2 p.m., aligning with the broader national effort. Organizers for both protests emphasize participation, collective expression, and adherence to nonviolent principles as central to the day’s activities.
For additional information about the Parkland College-area protest, organizers list Katie Schacht as a contact at schachtkl@gmail.com. For more information on the campus protest, use the contact link found on the page.
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TAGS: Free America Walkout Champaign Urbana January 20, Champaign protest near Parkland College, UIUC Free America Walkout Main Quad, Women’s March Free America Walkout Illinois, January 20 protests Champaign Urbana, Parkland Way protest Champaign, University of Illinois campus walkout, nationwide Women’s March protests Illinois
Urbana officials announced an open application process for a vacant Ward 4 City Council seat. Eligible residents must meet residency and voting requirements and have no outstanding city debts or felony convictions.
URBANA - The City of Urbana is accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on the City Council following the resignation of Ward 4 Council Member Jaya Kolisetty, which will take effect Feb. 2, 2026.
The appointment will fill the Ward 4 seat through the next general election in 2027, offering residents an opportunity to step into a leadership role during a key stretch for the city.
To be eligible, applicants must be qualified to vote in municipal elections and must have lived in both Urbana and Ward 4 for at least one year. Applicants also must not have any delinquent city taxes, fees or fines and must not have any felony convictions.
The Urbana City Council meets on Mondays at 7 p.m., with additional meetings scheduled as needed throughout the year.
Applications may be submitted electronically through the city’s website at go.urbanail.gov/ApplyWard4. Paper applications are also available at the City Clerk’s Office and The Urbana Free Library. Completed paper applications can be submitted by email to CityClerk@UrbanaIL.gov with the subject line “City Council Application,” or delivered in person to the City Clerk’s Office at 400 S. Vine St. in Urbana.
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Urbana Ward 4 City Council vacancy, Urbana City Council appointment 2026, apply for Urbana City Council seat, Ward 4 Urbana council application, Urbana municipal government vacancy
Millions of Americans are preparing to take part in the second nationwide No Kings day of action on October 18. Over 2,100 local rallies across all 50 states aim to defend democracy and resist authoritarianism.
URBANA - When millions of Americans stepped into the streets this past June for the first “No Kings” day of action, it wasn’t just a single day’s protest. For many, it felt like the spark of something larger. Now, four months later, that spark has grown into a nationwide call for unity and defiance. On October 18, people from every corner of the country will gather again to raise their voices against what they see as a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism.
More than 2,100 local protests and rallies have already been confirmed, stretching across all 50 states. Organizers expect the turnout to surpass June’s demonstrations, which drew an estimated five million participants. From small towns to major cities, the gatherings are intended to be peaceful yet powerful reminders that democracy belongs to the people.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
An estimated of more than 3,000 demonstrators of all ages and backgrounds crowded the sidewalk on both sides of the street between Vine and Main Street at Urbana's "No Kings" protest in June. See the Sentinel's "No Kings" photo gallery.
“Trump wanted a coronation on his birthday, and what he got instead was millions of people standing up to say no kings,” said Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible. “On October 18, we’re going to show up stronger and more organized than ever before.”
For community members preparing to join the marches, the day is about more than politics. April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union, described it as a defense of what everyday people have built together. “Working people built this country, not billionaires,” she said. “We’re protecting what we’ve built, and we’re building what’s next.”
That sense of collective ownership runs through many of the groups now organizing events. Nurses plan to march alongside teachers. Environmental advocates will walk with civil rights organizers. Veterans will stand shoulder to shoulder with young people rallying for the first time. Each community carries its own reasons for being there, but all are tied together by a common theme: resisting the concentration of power in one man’s hands.
For Jacob Thomas, a U.S. Air Force veteran, it comes down to honoring the oath he once swore. “Generations before us defeated fascism abroad,” he said. “Now it is up to us to defeat fascism at home.”
Organizers emphasize that the demonstrations will remain peaceful, with volunteers trained in de-escalation and safety. Local partners are working to create spaces where families can participate, and where communities can share both their frustrations and their hopes.
Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said that hope remains at the heart of the effort. “This country does not and will never have a king,” she said. “The power of the people is and will continue to be greater than the man obsessed with keeping power for himself.”
As October 18 approaches, the coalition behind the movement — which includes Indivisible, SEIU, Human Rights Campaign, ACLU, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, MoveOn, and many others — is asking neighbors to bring their families, their signs, and their voices. Whether in a downtown square or a small-town park, they say the act of showing up together is what matters most.
“It’s not about party, it’s about what Americans want and need,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. “A government that upholds freedom and opportunity. A government that solves problems. A government that believes in democracy, not dictatorship.”
For those planning to attend, details about participating cities and local events can be found at NoKings.org. Organizers are encouraging participants to bring courage, compassion, and an unwavering belief that, in America, power must remain with the people — not with a king.
TAGS: No Kings movement October 18 protests, nationwide anti-authoritarian rallies, grassroots democracy demonstrations, peaceful political protests USA, community unity against authoritarianism
Over 3,000 people joined a peaceful protest in Urbana against Trump’s policies and rising authoritarianism. Here are 27 photos from Saturday's rally.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Protestors shout and cheer from the corner of Broadway and Main Street in Urbana at the "No Kings" rally on Saturday. More than 3,000 people were on hand to support and express their opinion on the president's policies and his administration's inhumane immigration policies. URBANA — More than 3,000 people gathered in downtown Urbana on Sunday for a peaceful protest against former President Donald Trump’s policies and what organizers called a growing threat of authoritarianism in the United States. Many participants said they came not just to protest Trump’s immigration policies but also to stand up for democracy, civil rights, and free speech. Organizers and attendees stressed that these issues affect everyone — and that standing together is more important than ever.
The protest, part of a national movement known as “No Kings,” was one of over 2,000 events held across the country and around the world. Similar rallies took place in large cities like New York and Chicago, and in smaller towns across Illinois, including Bloomington, Peoria, and Macomb. The event was co-sponsored by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) of Central Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, 50501 Movement of Illinois and Mahomet Persisterhood.
The Urbana protest started at 4 p.m. with a packed rally outside the Champaign County Courthouse and people standing along Main Street. There were a wide variety of flags throughout the assembly, including Pride, Ukrainian, Palestinian, Mexican, and American flags. Exercising their First Amendment right, protestors carried or held up signs, many clever and a few others not so family friendly, displaying clear messages against Trump and his efforts to concentrate power in the presidency.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
A young woman wearing a crown waves the Mexican flag while standing on the median on Main St. with other protestors. The second most-popular flag behind the Stars & Stripes, flags from Ukraine and Palestine were also carried by demonstrators.
While many sought refuge from the hot sun in the cooler shade of the courthouse shadow, local leaders spoke to the crowd, including Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams, Mica Light of the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, and Ricardo Diaz of the Champaign-Urbana Immigration Forum. They called for unity, equal rights, and more support for immigrants and working families.
The protest was a block party with a purpose. As protestors made their way through the crowd, there was no shortage of handshakes, hugs and comforting smiles exchanged between friends and acquaintances. One thoughtful woman pulled a foldable wagon filled with bottled water, handing bottles to anyone who needed one under the hot June sun.
After about 45 minutes of speeches and chants, the crowd began an impromptu march through downtown Urbana. Volunteers in yellow vests helped guide people safely through the streets using bikes, cars, and foot patrols. The march moved along Main Street, turned onto Race Street and University Avenue, then circled back to Vine Street and returned to the courthouse. Protestors began leaving the area around 6:30 p.m.
The turnout was conservatively more than five times larger than the “Hands Off!” rally held in West Side Park this past April. Despite the large crowd, there was no visible police presence, and the event remained calm and respectful throughout.
“Somewhere around 3,000 people turned out at the courthouse as part of a larger movement rejecting authoritarianism and the president’s attempted consolidation of power into the executive branch," Jeff Dougan, an organizer for Champaign county’s chapter of Indivisible, a progressive network organizing for democracy, said. "We the people have rejected a king once before, and were uniting our voices today to say ‘not again.’ We’re so grateful for the community showing up in unity.”
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
An estimated of more than 3,000 demonstrators of all ages and backgrounds crowded the sidewalk on both sides of the street between Vine and Main Street at Saturday's rally.
Saturday marked the largest rally since the record-breaking Women’s March in 2017, when President Trump began his first term in office. Organizers with 505051 estimated that nationwide protests drew more than 5 million Americans on the day of the president’s 79th birthday. There were 51 “No Kings” protests planned across Illinois. From Rockford to Carbondale, the majority of the rallies - 26 in total - were held in cities and communities outside the Chicago metro area. Chicago hosted three separate events in different parts of the city.
Some notable examples of estimated turnout in major cities include:
Los Angeles: Over 200,000
Philadelphia: 80,000
Seattle: 70,000
Chicago: 75,000
New York City: Over 50,000
Ezra Levin, co-founder and co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, another No Kings coordinator, told NPR the atmosphere at the event was joyful. "Today what I saw was a boisterous, peaceful display of First Amendment rights," he said.
URBANA - A crowd of well over 400 shoppers were on hand for the grand opening of H Mart, the nation’s largest Asian supermarket chain, Thursday morning in downtown Urbana. Kick-off activities included a Lion Dance, giveaways, remarks from the mayor, and a ribbon cutting. The 32,000-square-foot store is located at 220 N. Broadway Ave. in downtown Urbana, across the street from the Black Dog Smoke & Ale House, which closed during the pandemic and has plans to resume operation in the future. Here is a look back at the first day of business for the first H Mart store operated outside of the Chicagoland area.
One of two lions performs for customers waiting to enther the store after the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the H Mart grand opening on Thursday morning.
Lion dancing is believed to bring success and chase away evil spirits. In Chinese culture, the lion symbolizes power, wisdom, and superiority. Martial artists generally and trained dancers perform lion dances at festivals or special occasions to bring good fortune.
Moments before opening H Mart's neatly stocked shelves wait for the first day of customers. The store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and will remain open 365 days a year. The Urbana store is the sixth location in Illinois. There are more than 80 stores spread across the country started by a South Korean immigrant in 1982.
Rows of freezers packaged with seafood, meats and other Asian specialty items were filled to the brim. The store also features the "Market Eatery" food court, offering various Asian cuisines in a sit-down dining environment. Shoppers will find a extensive selection of produce for homemade kimchi, tonkatsu, onigiri, spring rolls and more.
A Korean dance group perform a traditional routine to bless the new location and celebrate the grand opening.
H Mart employee Henry Chung tries to manage crowd control allowing a limited number of shoppers in at a time after the doors open on the first day of business.
Nearly 400 people wait patiently to enter the new store and purchase their favorite treats and goods to prepare Asian dishes at home.
Officially opening at 10 a.m., customers wait for their chance to enter the store.
The Korean dance group perform in the parking lot, entertaining customers waiting for their chance to enter the store and start their shopping experience.
Several Illinois metro areas rank among the highest in the country for taxes and insurance as a share of housing costs. Decatur...
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