Thousands Attend ‘No Kings’ Protest in Downtown Nashville

Morning showers didn’t deter an emphatic crowd of thousands that descended upon Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park on Saturday as a part of a nationwide series of “No Kings” rallies against President Donald Trump. The protests occurred just hours before a large military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army — a celebration that also fell on the president’s 79th birthday.

The largely peaceful Nashville protest was led by progressive activist group Indivisible Tennessee. State politicians and community organizers energized the crowd, including 19-year-old Jermaine Cole Jr., who took to the megaphone to criticize what he described as discriminatory policies implemented by the Trump administration. 

“We are no longer going to stand and beg them to treat everyone equally,” Cole said. “We are now demanding.” 

Luis Mata, government relations manager for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, also addressed the protesters, pushing for civic engagement. 

“History shows us that the strongest movements are fueled by the hope of everyday working-class people, the courage to resist and the unwavering commitment to a vision, a long-term vision that demands us showing up each and every day,” Mata said. “Organizing each and every day — election cycle after election cycle, legislative session after legislative session.” 

Handmade signs and American flags in tow, protesters marched to Jefferson Street and wrapped around Rosa Parks Boulevard as they chanted and danced to music while cars and trolley tours honked in support. 

Also among the protesters were members of Arcade Fire, who were scheduled for an appearance at Bonnaroo over the weekend. After Bonnaroo was canceled due to weather concerns, the band turned up as part of a drum circle at the No Kings event.

Demonstrators cited recent ICE arrests and the erroneous deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego García, reproductive health care and Trump’s ”big, beautiful” budget bill among other presidential actions as reasons for turning out. 

For some protesters, it was a family affair. Nashvillian Kim Lovell attended with her parents and young daughters. 

“We live in a deep-red state, and our legislature and the politics of this state are heartbreaking — heartbreaking for women, heartbreaking for kids,” Lovell told the Scene. “And so being out here and seeing … thousands of people marching to support justice and equity, people who believe that everyone has a right to be here, it's especially powerful in a state like Tennessee.” 

Others, like an attendee named Lisa, traveled from other counties. Lisa drove from Rutherford County to show her support for the movement. She says after seeing Democratic U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California forcibly removed from a press conference earlier in the week, she knew she had to show up and hopes some tangible change comes from Saturday’s demonstration. 

“I hope they understand it’s time to overwhelm the system,” Lisa said. “It is time to call your representatives, go to their offices. It doesn’t matter if you’re not of the same party, they are still your representatives. And calling them and insisting they do their job is how these things will change.” 

Numerous U.S. military veterans were among the protesters, including retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Ryan, who served for 26 years. 

“The country has never been in peril as much as it is today,” Ryan said. “This is our country that we swore an oath to defend, and that's why we're here. … There's a lot of gray-haired people out here. We need a lot of young people to come out. It's their country that we're losing.”

A small number of counterprotesters attended the event. The Metro Nashville Police Department made a single arrest when a Murfreesboro man brandished a handgun. Witnesses say he was arguing and spitting at No Kings protesters. He was detained and charged with disorderly conduct.  

Hamilton Matthew Masters contributed reporting.