Image Credit: Tonya Franklin Young / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Across America, total attendance for the “No Kings Day” protests in a show of “nationwide defiance” on June 14 was supposedly in the millions, but Tennessee appeared to have a “mixed-bag” when it came to participation on Saturday.
Besides the themes of anti-ICE, anti-authoritarianism, and general anti-Trump sentiments, many organizers and attendees continually propagated the false narrative that the parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary was a self-congratulatory birthday bash for Trump, though it is public knowledge that preparations for a commemoration event started solidly under the Biden administration.
Organizers for the event in Nashville were anticipating 4,000-5,000 people, but media-reported numbers were estimated between 1,000-1,500 on the day.
The state capitol’s event featured speeches from community leaders and state lawmakers including Democrat Sen. Jeff Yarbro, who, in referencing Flag Day, told the crowd they were there, “for the flag that 250 years ago fought against tyranny, took on and took down slavery, for the flag that liberated Europe from Nazis, for the flag that for generations, has been used to demand that we live up to our highest ideals and not our basest, lowest instinct.”
One counter-protestor was arrested by Metro Nashville Police, identified as 19-year-old Elijah Miller who allegedly engaged in “heated arguments”, shoved and spit on protesters, and brandished a handgun while carrying a Gadsden flag. Miller was charged with disorderly conduct and jailed on a $1,500 bond.
Though expectations were high for Nashville, Knoxville drew the largest crowd of protesters in the state, with numbers reported at over 7,000 people, though one attendee relayed to local media her disappointment in lack of turnout from younger generations.
“We just think it’s really important for young people to make sure that their voices are heard too. Even out here in Knoxville, where there’s a campus nearby, we still see so few young people coming out to speak compared to people above us who aren’t going to have to live through the outcome of what happens, where we’re going to have to,” she stated.
Knoxville protesters also claimed they turned out to protest not just ICE and Trump’s perceived “fascism”, but the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Knox County Sheriff’s Office as both agencies work closely with federal immigration agencies under the 287(g) program.
Memphis came in second for number of attendees, with media outlets reporting figures close to 4,000. Amongst those denouncing ICE were protesters waving Palestinian flags or wearing keffiyeh scarves, and the event featured performances from the Mexican Dancer Alliance.
Across the Tri-Cities, attendance was recorded as “hundreds”, reportedly picking up attendees in Kingsport, and Washington County Democratic Party Chair Sylvian Bruni claimed numbers reached roughly 1,500. The Gallatin event supposedly also “drew hundreds” to the Sumner County Courthouse.
In Clarksville, between 550-700 protesters assembled where some attendees waved Mexican or upside-down American flags while others held homemade signs, with one calling to “86 47 Now”, a slogan that has been associated with calls for assassinations or violence against the President.
Local media outlet Clarksville Now stated their count was approximately 550 at 2:15 pm on Saturday while event organizers claim the number had grown to over 700 individuals by 3 pm.
Fortunately, all the protests in Tennessee seemed to remain a peaceful exercise of the constitutional right to assembly with the Nashville arrest being a relatively isolated incident of police intervention across the state.
The No Kings organization is dedicated to further action, calling people post-protests to continue “building a movement powerful enough to win against authoritarian forces dead set on destroying our democracy.”
Taking a humorous approach, President Trump posted on social media over the weekend acknowledging the nationwide events on Saturday, writing, “A HUGE THANK YOU to all the ‘No Kings’ protesters yesterday! I was very concerned a king was trying to take my place, but thanks to your tireless efforts, I AM STILL YOUR PRESIDENT! Great job all!!!”
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Maybe the youngsters are seeing through dimmercraps??