Thousands of Tennessee are rallying, marching and protesting Trump administration policies in more than 33 Tennessee towns and cities representing all three of the states grand division, including Memphis, where National Guard troops and agents from a federal task force are occupying to the city.
The events were part of a national “No Kings” day of protest, the second one since President Donald Trump took office in January. A coalition of progressive and labor groups organizing the national day of action say the demonstrations are in response to “the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration, which they have doubled down on since June.”
In Chattanooga, crowd size was estimated at around 3,000 attendees, but protests weren’t limited to Tennessee’s large cities, as small towns like Tazewell and Pikeville in East Tennessee and Union City in West Tennessee held events.
Grandson of immigrants worries about economy, due process
Mike Ondek of Nashville wore an inflatable chicken suit to attend the capital city’s protest, held on the grounds of the Tennessee Capitol. His parents immigrated to the U.S. from Slovakia and he said he’s concerned about the Trump administration’s immigration policies, deployment of National Guard troops to U.S. cities and a lack of due process for those being deported.
But the economy is also on his mind.
“I don’t like what’s going on and I’m supposed to be retiring this year and I have no idea what’s going on with Medicaid, the economy,” Ondek said. “I lost so much last time the economy tanked with my 401(k) and built it back up but there’s so much uncertainty.
Immigrant ancestors, fears for the future spur Nashville turnout
Many attendees of the Nashville No Kings event said they were motivated to protest by their fears of fascism, referring to ancestors who fought for the U.S. or to worries about the world their children and grandchildren will inherit.
John Kelty, 65, of Nashville said he is “haunted by the ghost” of an ancestor, also named John Kelty, who fought with George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
“It’s a lot easier to start this up now than for our grandchildren to have to face this when they grow up,” Kelty said, noting he also had seven uncles who fought against fascist regimes in World War II. “We are at the beginning of a fascist takeover.”
Friends Mike Minggia and Crow Lee Belcher expressed similar sentiments.
Iris Spragens, 7, with her parents and sister, said she wishes Dolly Parton were president. (Photo: Anita Wadhwani/Tennessee Lookout)
Iris Spragens, 7, with her parents and sister, said she wishes Dolly Parton were president. (Photo: Anita Wadhwani/Tennessee Lookout)
“(Republicans) love to say our country is divided,” said Belcher, a U.S. Army veteran and artist “This administration is doing everything it can to divide us. They’re not hiding their intentions so we’re not going to hide either.”
“The three branches of government aren’t working,” Minggia said, adding that he fears the U.S. is heading towards fascism. “The Republican government has capitulated to what Donald Trump wants.”
Claire Meneely and John Spragens attended the event with their daughter, Iris, 7, who was holding a sign featuring singer-songwriter Dolly Parton.
“We don’t want Trump to be king because he can be mean to a lot of immigrants and he kicks out a lot of immigrants,” said Iris Spragens, who said she wished Parton were president. “I think (Parton) would make this a better place.”
Retired physician Clay MacConnell, who attended with his wife, Wendy, said he is deeply concerned about Trump’s cuts to the nation’s science and health care infrastructure, including the Centers for Disease Control.
“I’m here for our grandchildren to protect their future, because the way it’s going, I’m scared,” MacConnell said. “I’m scared the education that my grandchildren are getting won’t be the real history.
Wendy MacConnell had thoughts about the Trump administration’s portrayal of No Kings day.
“They’re trying to whitewash this to make it seem like America doesn’t want this — but look around, look around at all these people,” she said.
Tennessee Highway Patrol arrests 71-year-old protester in Monroe County
An East Tennessee woman was arrested Saturday during a No Kings protest and booked into the Monroe County Justice Center.
Anna M. Grabowski, 71, of Ten Mile, was charged with obstructing a highway/passage and failure to obey a law enforcement officer, a Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy confirmed. Bond was set at $5,000: friends and supporters of Grabowski raised money to pay her bond and she was released from jail at 6:30 p.m.
Wesley Kile, one of the approximately 40 people participating in the No Kings protest, said he, Grabowski and two other people were protesting at the same location — on the shoulder of the road adjacent to a bridge — earlier in the month and were told by a Highway Patrol officer, a Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy and a Sweetwater police officer they were allowed to be there.
Grabowski ran as a Democrat for the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2024 and 2016, losing both times to incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Howell of Cleveland.
No other arrests have been reported from the 33 No Kings events across the state.
In Memphis, a peaceful protest as federal task force continues to make arrests
One day after Shelby County officials, including Mayor Lee Harris, and state lawmakers from Memphis filed suit against Gov. Bill Lee over what they allege is unconstitutional deployment of Tennessee National Guard troops to Memphis, an estimated 7,000 gathered at Poplar and Highland Park.
Memphis has become a focus of Trump administration law enforcement activities and is one of three cities in the nation — Chicago and Portland are the others — with National Guard troops deployed to allegedly deter crime.
Fight for the Constitution, inflatable costumes and singing in Nashville
A spirit of joyful resistance permeated Nashville’s No Kings event, which drew an estimated 7,000 people to the lawn of the Tennessee Capitol.
Taking a page from Portland, Oregon protesters who have gone viral for their inflatable costumes, dozens attending the Nashville rally dressed as unicorns, frogs, bees and chickens. After listening to speakers, the crowd went on the move, marching down nearby Bicentennial Mall to Jefferson Street, singing and chanting.
Peggy Zukas, with sign, and three friends who took a page from Portland, Oregon protesters who have gone viral for wearing inflatable suits. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
