‘No Kings Day’ Rally Draws Crowds to East Memphis
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Crowds of people filled an East Memphis greenspace Saturday as part of a nationwide day of protest called “No Kings Day.”
Organizers said the event, called “No Kings: Memphis Resistance Fest,” was designed to push back against what they describe as government corruption and authoritarian overreach.
The gathering at the corner of Poplar Avenue and Highland Street featured speeches, music, chants and supply drives for local food pantries.
Rochelle Hernandez, a first-generation American, told FOX13 she joined the rally because she believes minority communities are increasingly under threat.
“I am here because my people are under attack, and all minority groups are under attack,” Hernandez said. “It is saddening, and it’s sickening to live in a world where our parents are scared to go outside to the store to pump gas because they don’t know.”
The Memphis gathering was one of several across the country tied to the “No Kings Day” movement. Organizers said the event united grassroots activists, immigrant families and some local officials to call for change while giving back to the community through food and supply donations.
However, not everyone saw the event the same way. Some Republican leaders criticized the rally and the message.
House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R) referred to the protests as the “Hate America” rally. In a statement, Senator Brent Taylor (R–Tenn.) said protesters have every right to gather but argued their actions demonstrate the freedoms the country already protects.
“Folks are welcome to protest an imaginary king if they’d like, but it’s been 249 years since we last had one, and their protest proves we don’t have a king,” Taylor said.
Some participants at the No Kings rally pushed back on those characterizations.
“I feel like it’s very important for people to express anger in a very safe manner,” said Adrian Yarborough, another attendee. “We are at a time where it’s very important to express that democracy is for the people.”
The program wrapped up around 3 p.m., but organizers say Saturday’s rally is just the beginning of what they call a broader, long-term movement for change.
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