NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Protesters gathered outside Centennial Park on Saturday afternoon to express their opposition to President Donald Trump and his administration’s actions during his first few months in office.
“I’m just shocked by the violations of civil liberties that we’re seeing under this administration,” protester and Nashville resident Noah Zarr told News 2.
“It just seems like we’re going down a very, very dangerous road, and I’m thinking, ‘Wow, this is what we learned in elementary and high school. “America’s basic values are under threat, and we must act.”
Several people carried signs that said “I am Kilmar Abrego Garcia,” referring to the man who was deported from Maryland to El Salvador.
“The prison camps in El Salvador are despicable and inhumane. Another protester, Grace Carroll, stated, “That is not what America was built on.”
Corwin Lester, an organizer with United Volunteers of Tennessee, estimates that approximately 2,500 people attended the event on Saturday, April 19.
“Looking at it systematically, it’s like whack-a-mole. He’s attacking free speech and NPR. Nita Andrews, a protester and Nashville native, explained, “I don’t even know how he manages all the fights that he’s instigating.”
Another sign read “HANDS OFF VU!!! Marsha!” in reference to U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who is urging Vanderbilt University Medical Center to discontinue diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
“Trump is attacking universities. He already has Columbia University kneeling before him. “Thank goodness for Harvard, who is standing strong,” protester Jan Austin stated.
Lauren McCoy, who attended Saturday’s protest, told News 2 that “we’re all people, all Americans, and we have to stand together.” That is what we did to build this country, and it is what we must do again.”
News 2 contacted Blackburn’s and U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty’s (R-Tennessee) offices for comment on Saturday’s protest, but neither responded before this article was published.
