'No Kings' protests: Tensions rise in LA as crowd hurls concrete, police allege

More protests over President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement are expected to get underway this weekend in the Chicago area.

The Chicago Police Department has canceled officers' days off for the weekend in preparation for "No Kings Day" protests and other planned events in the city. Thousands of people are expected to be downtown, and problems can come up quickly with a crowd of that size, but CPD says it's ready to act quickly.

"It's essential for getting the number of officers on the street that you need in order to enforce the laws and protect the citizens," said Monterrey Security Director of Public Safety Anthony Riccio, who is also a former CPD first deputy superintendent. "We still have to police and patrol the neighborhood on a Saturday night or Sunday night in June."

Two demonstrations flooded parts of Chicago's Loop earlier this week, and one resulted in 17 arrests following clashes with CPD. Riccio says heading into the weekend, officers are prepared to respond to any illegal behavior.

"When you identify those individuals, they are identified pretty quickly. You have to grab them and take them into custody, arrest them and remove them from the crowd. One thing I know for certain is bad behavior, criminal behavior, is contagious," Riccio said.

This comes after a large wave of mostly peaceful protests on Thursday night.

A sea of protesters could be seen holding signs, chanting and marching to voice their frustrations and anger with recent immigration raids in the area. Demonstrators also marched and rallied near Chicago's Trump Tower.

Saturday's protest in Chicago is set to take place at Daley Plaza. CPD says its officers are ready to handle the large crowds and prepared with all necessary resources.

Raleigh is preparing for a day of defiance as the "No Kings Day" protests are set to take place nationwide, including in North Carolina's capital.

The rally is scheduled to take place Saturday near a busy shopping center.

The Raleigh Police Department is preparing for it and wants those who will be out here to be safe.

There are over 1,500 "No Kings Day" events nationwide on Saturday to protest the Trump administration and to counter the military parade in DC.

Recently, Raleigh has seen a large wave of protests against a crackdown on illegal immigration in downtown.

Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce said his force is prepared for what Saturday may bring and urged demonstrators to be safe as the department prepares for any scenario.

"That's always our goal is to make sure individuals can exercise their right peacefully as well as being safe," Boyce said. "I have very confident and capable personnel within the Raleigh Police Department that can de-escalate situations before they become bigger problems."

Boyce urged anyone attending the rally to remain peaceful and to follow the law.

A military parade is planned for the streets of Washington, D.C. on Saturday, marking the US Army's 250th birthday.

At the same time, No Kings Day protests are set to be held in cities across the country, including Fresno in California's Central Valley.

The date, June 14th, is also Flag Day and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

Chris Wippern, an organizer in Fresno, says the protest has been planned for months against the Trump administration and its policies, including immigration enforcement and deportations.

As a military parade marches through the streets of D.C. on Saturday, protesters are planning to gather across the nation for "No Kings Day."

"It's time to stand up for democracy. Democracy is a do-it-yourself proposition. Nobody is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves," said Wippern.

"It's time to use your First Amendment rights and come out."

The Fresno Police Department says it has already met with organizers ahead of the protest.

Officers are reminding everyone who shows up to remain on the sidewalks.

About 200 Marines are taking over responsibility for protecting the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman told reporters Friday.

The addition of those troops will allow more National Guardsmen to be trained to accompany federal personnel during Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, according to Sherman.

"The soldiers that were performing those duties will then transition to providing protection to federal law enforcement officers as they conduct their law enforcement function," Sherman said. "I would like to emphasize that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities. Rather, they'll be focused on protecting federal law enforcement personnel."

Sherman serves as the commander of Joint Task Force 51, the command headquarters for the 4,000 federalized National Guardsmen and 700 Marines assigned to protect federal personnel and property in Los Angeles.

In an interview with ABC and the Associated Press earlier this week, Sherman said, as of then, about 500 of the 4,000 National Guardsmen assigned to the LA area had been specifically trained to work with ICE teams.