Following several "No Kings" protests across the country in June, organizers are now planning thousands of similar events this weekend in the U.S., including a number in the Chicago area.

The group behind the events is encouraging people to attend rallies in thousands of cities -- and to wear yellow doing so.

Chicago police have said they are putting additional resources in place "to protect all those exercising their First Amendment Rights, as well as all those living, working and visiting" the city.

Meanwhile, planes towing banners that read "No Kings This Saturday" flew above the city Thursday.

The events come as Chicago remains at the center of heightened immigration enforcement operations and a legal battle over the deployment of National Guard troops in the city.

But what are "No Kings" protests and why yellow?

Here's an explanation of what to expect:

What are No Kings protests?

The “No Kings” theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement aiming to fight against what it calls "authoritarian actions." The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.

Protests earlier this year called for President Donald Trump to be "dethroned" as they compared his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president.

Now, organizers of the demonstrations have criticized the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations in multiple U.S. cities.

"He's doubling down — sending militarized agents into our communities, silencing voters, and handing billionaires giveaways while families struggle. This isn’t just politics. It's democracy versus dictatorship. And together, we’re choosing democracy," the No Kings activist group's website reads.

Organizers stressed, however, that a "core principal" of their events is "a commitment to nonviolent action."

The group said they aim to repeat the demonstrations seen in June, saying the administration is "escalating their attacks."

Trump argues that the presence of the troops is necessary to protect immigration enforcement agents and federal property, and to curtail crime in major American cities.

"Peaceful demonstrations will be hosted across the country to fight back against the current crisis and demand accountability," the website stated. "These demonstrations will prioritize visibility and the core message: No Kings!"

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in remarks on the Senate floor Thursday that he plans to participate in the No Kings protests on Saturday.

"This weekend's No Kings rallies will be an affirmation about what America is all about," he said. "We are Democracy in America, we have no kings, despite the fact that Trump has even said he wants to become one and is acting in ways that are a threat to our democracy," he said.

The minority leader added, "I will join the marchers to celebrate what makes this country so great, and I say to my fellow citizens, do not let Donald Trump or Republicans intimidate you into silence. That’s what they want to do. They're afraid of the truth."

NBC News reached out to his office about which rally Schumer plans to attend but did not immediately hear back.

Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tied the events to the government shutdown during an appearance on CNBC.

“No Kings equal no paychecks. We are paying our military today," he said, criticizing the event.

Where are the protests?

Organizers said events are planned in more than 2,000 cities, with several in the Chicago area.

A map posted by the group shows planned events in Geneva, Elgin, Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove, Naperville, Wilmette, Lombard, Forest Park, Joliet and more.

In Chicago, events are also planned in Little Village, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Edgewater, at the corner of 103rd and Western, and more.

What's happening in Chicago?

Currently, federal agents are conducting an operation they have termed "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago, which the Department of Homeland Security says has resulted in more than 1,000 immigrants arrested since September.

Community efforts to oppose U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have ramped up in the nation's third-largest city, where neighborhood groups have assembled to monitor ICE activity and film incidents involving agents.

An immigration enforcement building in Broadview, outside Chicago, has been the site of regular protests.

Confrontations outside the facility, and in the streets of Chicago, have involved tear gas and other crowd control tactics. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Sec. Tricia McLaughlin said people have "obstructed law enforcement" at the Broadview facility, claiming items such as tear gas cans, rocks, bottles and fireworks were thrown. 

Separately, the Trump administration has tried to deploy National Guard troops against the wishes of the city's mayor and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, but the strategy was halted last week by a judge.

Last week a judge ruled agents in the area must wear badges, and she banned them from using certain riot control techniques against peaceful protesters and journalists. On Thursday, that same judge ordered federal agents conducting immigration enforcement to wear body cameras.

Why wear yellow?

The group encouraged participants to wear yellow saying "throughout history, people who have come together in protest against authoritarian regimes have utilized a color that is east to see among a sea of thousands."

"It is a visible, optimistic banner that carries the weight of Democratic struggle, nonviolent dissent, and a reminder that power must stem from the people, not from crowns," the group's website read.