KYLE MURPHY

Contributor

This past Saturday, March 28, over 3,000 “No Kings” protests took place across the United States, which included Tullahoma as one of the 40 protests held in Tennessee.

Nationwide, the “No Kings” protests saw millions of people take to the streets to protest President Donald Trump and his administration, and organizers claimed in total 8 million people turned out to the protests, calling it the “largest single demonstration in U.S. history.”

Meanwhile, locally the protest was held differently than the previous two “No Kings” protests. This time around, the Coffee County Democratic Party partnered with the Democratic parties from Moore County, Marion County, Franklin County and Indivisible South Central TN to organize the “Middle District-4 Coalition’s No Kings Fest and Protest” at Southside Park, behind the C.D. Stamps Community Center and attached to Jefferson Street Park.

From noon to 6 p.m., the festival was filled with attendees as they enjoyed food trucks, artists, live music, and speeches from local candidates. Then, at around 3 p.m., attendees lined up with signs as they made the one-mile walk from Southside Park to downtown Tullahoma to peacefully protest. Once they made it to downtown, the group rested as they heard speeches from both CCDP Vice Chair Andrew Head and CCDP Chairman Mike Stein.

According to Stein, approximately 200 people attended the festival and protest, and viewed the event as an overall success.

“Those who attended, played music, and spoke at the No Kings Fest and Protest are all local heroes,” Stein said. “It’s difficult putting yourself out there and facing ridicule from social media keyboard warriors. It’s easy to forget that, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was seen as a troublemaker and was widely disliked. However, he was a crucial part of a movement that changed the course of American history, and now he is viewed very favorably.”

During the march, members of the Tullahoma Police Department were on hand with providing a safe escort for the protesters. In a statement to The News, Tullahoma Police Chief Chase Sons said that organizers did ask for an escort, but advised them that the department itself cannot get involved in politically.

“I advised them we can’t get involved in political matters (no matter which side you’re on) because we have to remain neutral,” Sons said. “We will jump in there for anyone if a safety issue that arises.”

Stein added that this was the first protest where they did not encounter any counter protestors.

“Perhaps this is because gas and grocery prices are through the roof and the unpopular, illegal war against Iran is costing this country $1 billion a day,” Stein said. “It has become clear that this upcoming election is not about right versus left, but rather the poor versus the rich.”

After the speeches in downtown, the protesters made their way back to Southside Park, where they spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying other festivities and hearing speeches, including one from Victoria Broaderick.

In addition to hosting the event and march, Stein said CCDP also collected donations, which will go back to the community by helping those with medical debt.

“We not only participated in the largest nationwide protest in this country’s history but also collected donations for our community service project: eliminating medical debt for Coffee County citizens,” Stein said. “We are partnering with a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization (Contest Every Race) that is matching donations 200 to 1 to eliminate medical debt. That number is not a typo.”

Stein said during the event they were able to raise $325, which was enough to eliminate $65,000 in medical debt thanks to the matching donations from Contest Every Race.

The community service project will run through August, and those interested in donating can go to https://secure.actblue. com/donate/nomedicaldebt.

“Just to be clear, this money will help eliminate medical debt for Coffee County residents regardless of their political affiliation,” Stein stated. “The Coffee County Democratic Party believes strongly in helping everyone, not just those who vote for us, because a rising tide lifts all ships.”