A new wave of anti-Trump protests will hit Tennessee in October, but this time, the focus is on the midterm elections.
Organizers cite concerns about presidential overreach, immigration policies and ICE actions, the deployment of federal forces to cities, and health care, environmental and education issues as motivations for the protests. The name is meant to evoke the principle that the United States is a democracy without monarchs and that no leaders are above the law.
The most recent major "No Kings" demonstration took place on March 28, when thousands of events were held across the country.
In Tennessee, over 40 protests were scheduled, including events in Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Franklin, Columbia, Clarksville, Lebanon, Murfreesboro,
Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, Sevierville and dozens of other locations across the state.
When are the next 'No Kings' protests taking place?
The next series of "No Kings" protests is scheduled for Oct. 17. This round of protests takes place almost exactly a year after the Oct. 18, 2025, 'No Kings' protests.
'No Kings' protests planned in Tennessee
Here's a look at all of the "No Kings" protests planned across Tennessee.
West Tennessee
- Memphis: No Kings: Vote Early, Party to the Polls with Indivisible Memphis! (4223 Macon Road, 1 to 3 p.m. CT)
Middle Tennessee
- Nashville: No Kings: Vote Early Bellevue (Red Caboose Park of Bellevue, Highway 70 S., 10 a.m. to noon CT)
- Franklin: No Kings: Vote Early Franklin (private address, noon to 2 p.m. CT)
- Columbia: No Kings: Vote Early IndivisibleTN5 Columbia (West Sixth St. and North Garden St., 10 a.m. to noon CT)
- Springfield: No Kings: Vote Early Springfield (intersection of Memorial Blvd and Tom Austin Hwy, 1 to 3 p.m. CT)
East Tennessee
- Crossville: No Kings: Vote Early Crossville (2 North Main St., 10 a.m. to noon CT)
- Pikeville: No Kings: Vote Early Pikeville (Bledsoe County Courthouse, 3150 Main St., 9 to 11a.m. CT)
- Cleveland: No Kings: Vote Early Cleveland (Johnston Park, corner of Inman and Ocoee, 2 to 4 p.m. ET)
- Chattanooga: No Kings: Vote Early Chattanooga (Chattanooga Election Commission, 1 to 3 p.m. ET)
- Tellico Plains: No Kings: Vote Early Tellico Plains (Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center, 225 Cherohala Skyway, 1 to 3 p.m. ET)
- Madisonville: No Kings: Vote Early Madisonville (4525 US-411, 10:30 a.m. to noon ET)
- Lenoir City: No Kings: Vote Early, Lenoir City (Roane State Community College, 100 W Broadway Suite, 131, 9 a.m. to noon ET)
- Blount County: No Kings: Vote Early Blount County (508 N. Cusick St., 10 a.m. to noon ET)
- Sevierville: No Kings: Vote Early Rally, Sevierville (private address, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET)
- Oak Ridge: No Kings: Vote Early Oak Ridge (102 Robertsville Road, 10 a.m. to noon ET)
- Knoxville: No Kings Vols To The Polls: Chalk The Vote Knoxville (Holston River Park, 3300 Holston Hills Road, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. ET)
- Tazewell: No Kings: Vote Early Cumberland Gap Area (traffic light at 25/33 split, 1 to 3 p.m. ET)
- Newport: Vote Early Cocke County (private address, 9 a.m. to noon ET)
What are your rights when protesting?
The First Amendment protects your right to protest. This includes freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and the right to petition the government. Some limited restrictions are allowed for public safety.
- You may record in public: If you're in a public space, you can photograph and record video of anything in plain view, including police, federal buildings, and other protesters. Audio recording rules depend on state law. Most states use one-party consent; a few require all-party consent. Tennessee is a one-party consent state. These protections do not apply on private property, where owners can set their own rules.
- Flag burning is protected speech: The Supreme Court has ruled that burning the American flag is a form of protected expression under the First Amendment.
- Police cannot take your phone without a warrant: They cannot confiscate your device or demand to review your footage unless they have a search warrant. They may ask you to stop recording only if you’re interfering with public safety or police work.
- Stay calm if confronted by police: If officers appear to violate your rights, do not resist or argue. Instead, calmly assert your rights and ask whether you are free to leave. If you are free to go, leave immediately. If you are arrested, ask for a lawyer right away and do not speak or sign anything until your attorney is present.
Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal and Tennessee. She can be reached at jordan.green@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: More than a dozen 'No Kings' protests set for Tennessee ahead of midterms
