Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rallies draw thousands across Tennessee

NASHVILLE – Thousands of Tennesseans turned out at “No Kings” rallies taking place in small towns and major urban hubs across the Volunteer State Saturday to push back against the Trump administration’s increasing consolidation of executive power and its economic, military and immigration policies in a coordinated nationwide day of protest.

The Tennessee protests, taking place in dozens of cities across the state, are among an estimated 3100 No Kings events planned nationwide, according to organizers. “Trump wants to rule over us as a tyrant. But this is America, and power belongs to the people – not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies,” the event’s official website said.

Nashville

Several thousand gathered in downtown Nashville, marched across the city’s pedestrian bridge past Broadway, Nashville’s strip Honky Tonk bars, then ending at the city’s courthouse.

Mark Smith, a 67-year-old retired teacher from Nashville, showed up in a “fascism never sleeps” t-shirt, saying there wasn’t one thing that brought him out, but that “everything” is going in the wrong direction.

“It seems like the speed with which things are going downhill is only picking up,” Smith said.

Signs at the rally included opposition to immigration enforcement, references to the Jeffrey Epstein files and calling on Americans to wake up and resist.

Gigi Page, a Clarksville native, held two signs, one calling for no kings and the second referencing impeachment in the Constitution.

“This administration is flagrantly corrupt,” Page said. “What Trump has been doing is destroying every facet of this country.”

Before the march began, several organizers spoke, most delivering strong anti-ICE messages. Last May, Nashville was the center of an ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol operation to pull over and arrest as many immigrants as possible, no matter whether they actually posed a threat. Most of the over 100 arrested were on their way to work, and ICE only identified three as serious criminal offenders in a news release. 

Then as the crowd began its march, two large, low-flying military helicopters flew over the gathering, then doubled back again.

Jackson

About 400 people lined the road in front of the Madison County courthouse Saturday afternoon, waving American flags and showing off their signs to passing cars, including anti-war and anti-tariff signs. Many drivers honked their horns or rolled down their windows to cheer in support.

Indivisible Jackson organizer Cindy Boyles said previous No Kings rallies have seen as many as 600 participants, including residents from surrounding smaller West Tennessee towns.

Now, Boyles said, more of those towns are hosting their own No Kings events. Bolivar, the county seat in Hardeman County, is holding its first rally Saturday.

Indivisible Jackson formed in 2017, and Boyles said the diversity of people attending protests has grown during Trump’s second term. Early demonstrations attracted mostly older participants. On Saturday, attendees spanned all ages.

“It’s empowering to be here and to see that Jackson is not the deep, deep red that people think it is,” Boyles said. “And I think also there’s just a lot of people that disagree with what he’s doing, and that just brings people out too.”

Rachel Breslin, 27, greeted fellow attendees with the help of her 3-year-old dog, Ellie. Saturday marks Ellie’s first protest, and Breslin dressed her for the part in an eagle hat and a “vasectomies prevent abortions” t-shirt.

Breslin came to Jackson from Ripley, Tennessee and joined her partner, 30-year-old Andrew Henson, on the sidewalk near Jackson City Hall.

“Today is really just a show of camaraderie and support,” she said. “These protests are really a good opportunity to see that you’re not the only person, especially in a red state, it’s really easy to feel like you’re a blue dot drowning in a red sea.”

Breslin wore a shirt supporting Jerri Green, a Democratic candidate in Tennessee’s upcoming gubernatorial race.

“Politics are obviously very divisive, Breslin said. “But I think the one unifying things, we can all look at something and say it’s not right.”

Chattanooga

In Chattanooga, a multi-generational turnout included Molly Brooks, 15, who attended the No Kings rally with her stepfather, Kevin Brady.

“I wanted to make sure people know I’m passionate about who is president,” she said from inside her polar bear suit.

“She’s 15 going on 19,” Brady joked.

The pair were among 3,000 people who lined Riverfront Parkway near downtown Chattanooga, as passing cars honked horns in support.

Nancy Deakins came with friend Donna Ziebell. The No Kings rally was a first for her, she said.

“I just turned 70 and this is my first protest,” said Deakins. “I’m so excited!”

Gallatin

In Gallatin, about 300 showed up to the No Kings protest on Main Street. A solo guitarist sang the late Tom Perry’s classic song, “I won’t back down”

Local residents Josh and April Mitchell said there isn’t enough poster board to hold all of their complaints about the president. Josh Mitchell held a sign saying “Only you can prevent fascism.”

They attended the protest “just to support everything that’s supposed to be right about humanity,” he said. Under the Trump administration people are being killed in the streets and deported illegally, he said.

Brian Sullivan with The Equality Project told the crowd it would be easy to get discouraged by the “full-on assault” on marriages and LGBTQ rights. “But you showed up,” he said. He pointed out that the Tennessee Legislature’s first bill passed this year attacked the LGBTQ community and alluded to a House-passed measure that pries into LGBTQ healthcare. Other measures were deferred “because you showed up,” he said.

Contributing: Adam Friedman, Sam Stockard, Cassandra Stephenson, Holly McCall and Anita Wadhwani.