Murfreesboro, TN - Murfreesboro took part in the nationwide “No Kings” protest on Saturday (6/14/2025) with approximately 2,000 people participating in a peaceful event along Medical Center Parkway. The demonstration, held from 10:00AM to noon, took place in front of The Avenue of Murfreesboro shopping center. Protestors formed a single-file line along the sidewalk—from the Honeylocust Lane entrance near Mimi’s Café to the intersection by Chili’s on Willowoak Trail.
Participants held signs for passing motorists, in compliance with a city-issued permit that prohibited blocking traffic or marching in the street. Many held hand-lettered messages calling for the protection of democracy and the rejection of unchecked political power.
The Murfreesboro event was part of a larger nationwide “No Kings” protest, coordinated by grassroots groups including Indivisible and the 50501 Movement (so named for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement). These groups, which advocate civic engagement and democratic values, organized thousands of events across the U.S. to coincide with Flag Day, President Trump’s 79th birthday, and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
While each gathering had local variations, the overarching message was concern over what they view as concentrated executive power and perceived authoritarian behavior during Trump’s second term. A local university professor at the scene described the event as a response to actions such as the president’s immigration policies, budget priorities, and resistance to judicial oversight.
The crowd in Murfreesboro reflected a diverse age range, though a significant portion appeared to be older adults. One attendee estimated that most participants were around age 60, but pointed out a noticeable presence of college-aged demonstrators as well. Organizers prioritized accessibility, and many participants used walkers or wheelchairs.
This format was typical of many smaller towns and suburban areas nationwide, where stationary, sidewalk-based gatherings were more common than traditional marches. In contrast, cities such as Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Los Angeles hosted larger, mobile demonstrations with processions, chants, and live speakers.
National estimates suggested hundreds of thousands took part across nearly 2,000 cities, with turnout figures ranging from hundreds to several thousand per location. Rochester, Minnesota, for instance, saw a crowd estimated between 2,500 and 3,000, similar to the one in Murfreesboro.
Political analysts noted that the majority of attendees across the country appeared to be aligned with Democratic or progressive viewpoints, and many were critical of the current administration. However, the stated intent of the demonstrations was not to promote any party or candidate, but to highlight concerns over democratic norms, civic responsibility, and institutional checks and balances.
While Murfreesboro’s event remained peaceful, some cities did experience isolated violence. In Virginia, a man drove his SUV into a dispersing crowd, injuring at least one person. In Salt Lake City, a protester was critically injured in a shooting. Protests in Minnesota were called off following a deadly overnight attack targeting state lawmakers. Organizers nationwide emphasized that such incidents were the exception and reiterated calls for nonviolence and community solidarity.
Despite differences in scale and format, “No Kings” events across the country shared a common goal: raising awareness of democratic ideals and ensuring that no one—regardless of office—holds unchecked power.
