What I Saw at The Big Beautiful "No Kings" Protest in Nashville Yesterday.

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 by Rod Williams, June 15, 2025- I attended the anti-Trump protest yesterday at the bicentennial mall state park. It was a big crowd. It is hard to estimate the size, but the mall lawn was full, and people spread out along Rosa Parks and Jefferson streets. I would not be surprised if there were not 5,000 people in attendance.

I had reservations about joining anti-Trump protests because I know I fundamentally disagree with the political position of most of those in attendance. I am sure the vast majority of those in attendance are Democrats and liberal and I am a traditional pre-Trump conservative Reaganite Republican.  I feel however that Trump is such a threat to our democracy that it is necessary to swallow hard and join anyone who wants to stop Trump and stand up to his authoritarianism and his cruelty and insane policies. 

It is kind of strange watching how conservatives have embraced Trump, but also how liberals are supporting some policies they would never have supported in more normal times, such as a strong foreign policy that supports a strong NATO and America's leadership role in the world, things like a balanced budget, resistance to an overreaching federal government, federalism, state's rights, constitutionalism, and free trade. The views I have always had, seem to be more prevalent on the left than the Trumpian right these days. Of course, I know that on many fundamentals I will always disagree with liberals.  The shifting policy positions, however, can make your head spin.  I think if we get past Trump and still have a democracy, both liberals and conservatives will revert to form. Who knows, however? There may be new alliances, and old political identities may fade, and there may be a reshuffled of the components that define the current political classifications. 

As I said, I was apprehensive about attending this rally. However, after attending the April 5th "Hands Off Democracy" rally in Centennial Park, I felt more comfortable attending this one.  While at yesterday's rally, there were a few class warfare signs, a few advocating a greater welfare state, and a few random signs advocating this or that particular cause with which I disagree, most were not things that were offensive. Most of the signs were on theme. There were a lot of anti-ICE signs, and, I would say, more pro-due process signs than anything else.  I only saw maybe four or five people draped with or waving Mexican flags. I saw one pro-Palestinian sign. 

There was a big drum circle in the center of the carillon. There were chants of, "No Justice; No Peace," and "The People United can Never be Defeated," and "This is What Democracy Looks Like."  Couldn't do it. I may march with the libs but can't join their choir.

It was a fun event. I can see how some shallow people get caught up in activism. A big protest like this is simply fun. It is sort of like Mardi Gras without the alcohol, or a rock concert, or a sporting event. People dance and chant, dress in attention getting costumes, make clever signs, and enjoy comradery. Also, it makes people feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves and makes them feel like they are doing something meaningful. I don't think it makes much difference whether it is a pro-Trump rally or an anti-Trump rally, I think the components that make people drawn to movements are the same.

The above being said, in times like these I think we do need to protest. I fear for the future of our democracy and think Trump desires to be a dictator. He has told us that he may find it necessary to suspend the constitution at some point. We need to take him seriously. It appears to me, he is following the dictator's playbook and laying the groundwork to assume dictatorial powers. While we still can, we need to fight back.

If anyone wants a flavor of the event, there are numerous YouTube video of the event. Here are several: link, link, and link.  Here are a few pictures that I found interesting. 

My Family and friend at the event

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