Metro East Sun

As the "No Kings" protest movement prepares to hold multiple demonstrations across the Metro East on Saturday, Dave Barnes, a former St. Clair Township Trustee, Township Supervisor and 2020 Republican nominee for Illinois House District 114, is voicing strong opposition.

Barnes did not mince words when asked about the upcoming protests, citing concerns over violence, illegal immigration and Democratic leadership.

“Peaceful protests I’m for, when they turn to violence and destruction it’s time to lock them up and if they’re here illegally send them out of the country,” Barnes told the Metro East Sun. 

His remarks come as the "No Kings" movement gains momentum nationwide, with more than 2,000 protests planned, including three in the Metro East region: the Alton People’s United March at the Lovejoy Monument in Alton, a “No Kings” demonstration in O’Fallon and another rally in downtown Belleville around the Square Fountain.

“The Democrats are for the illegals rather than the American citizens. Illinois politicians are a joke!” he said.The movement, which has received strong backing from Democrat Party officials, emerges as the party faces historically low approval ratings nationwide. 

The Democrat Party’s unfavorability rating has soared to 57%—the highest in 16 years—following heavy losses in the 2024 election. With just 31% of voters viewing Democrats favorably. 

The protests, along with Democrat support for them, have drawn sharp criticism following a June 10 anti-ICE demonstration in Chicago that erupted into violence. That demonstration saw police cars vandalized, public monuments defaced and assaults—including one incident involving a Tesla vandalized with swastikas. 

Seventeen protesters were arrested.

Critics of the movement say the protests echo the violence and destruction seen during the 2020 riots, similarly backed by Democrats, following the death of George Floyd—an uprising that caused billions in damage.

Barnes expressed frustration with Illinois’ sanctuary policies, which he says embolden lawlessness. 

“Being a sanctuary state they will be allowed to destroy, burn, and harm the police without any repercussions,” he said. 

Barnes, a longtime critic of the state’s Democratic majority, concluded with a blunt call to action.

“Illinois needs to get rid of all the Democrats,” Barnes said.