‘Our differences are our strengths’: Hundreds attend No Kings Day protest in Clarksville | PHOTOS, VIDEO

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A nationwide No Kings Day protest brought several hundred people to Wilma Rudolph Boulevard in Clarksville on Saturday as demonstrators voiced concerns about the Donald Trump administration and called for unity amid growing political division.

Protester Neva Stephens summed up the mood with a message that echoed across signs and chants: “Let’s come together, be a better country, and care about each other,” Stephens told Clarksville Now. “Our differences are our strengths. That’s our community.”

Organized by Clarksville Indivisible, the rally was part of the 50-50-1 Indivisible and No Kings national movement, which aims to encourage civic engagement and promote democratic values through peaceful demonstrations across the country.

Lead organizer Joy Rice said the event was meant to bring visibility to local voices who want to see change. “We feel like every time we get one more person to stand up and push back against this, it will embolden those who may be afraid to take a stand.”

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Rice said attendees joined the protest for many reasons, from concerns about immigration enforcement to frustrations over government shutdowns and policy decisions.

“Different people turn out for different reasons, and we are super excited for it,” she said.

Tensions rise during No Kings in Clarksville

Within the first 10 minutes of the 10 a.m. to noon protest, tensions briefly flared between a demonstrator and a counter-protester waving a Trump flag.

During a heated exchange, protester Asuka Rau was shoved into a Clarksville Now reporter. Rau said she worried some counter-protesters may have attended to provoke disruption.

“I have been ordained as a minister, so I view my role as someone who’s here to observe, see what happens, take footage, and provide faith support,” Rau said. “I’m willing to work with anyone as long as we’re building a better world. I don’t care what someone’s political opinions are – until he shoved me.”

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For many in attendance, the protest represented concern for the direction of the country and the preservation of democratic values.

Suzanne Butler, a lifelong Clarksville resident, said she fears for her children’s future. “I’m scared for our democracy right now,” Butler said. “I’m scared for the future that my children are going to grow up in. What I’m seeing greatly disturbs me as far as what ICE is doing.”

From 600 to 1,000 attend Clarksville No Kings

Protesters came and went during the two-hour event. Aerial photos by Clarksville Now at about 11 a.m. show about 600 demonstrators in attendance. Organizers said that at its peak there were an estimated 800 people. They estimated 1,000 in total attended, coming and going.

Fewer than a half-dozen counter-protesters stood on the other side of the highway, waving flags.

Hayden Wilcox said the large turnout offered hope that people are paying attention and beginning to question the status quo.

“Honestly, part of it is just to see that there are a lot of people that aren’t a fan of what’s going on right now,” Wilcox said. “I think it’s good for people to see this and question if what they’re supporting is right. I’d like to think this could change some minds.”

For Jose Avreu, the motivation came down to justice and accountability.

“There are too many unconstitutional acts being performed by the current administration, and it’s just not right,” Avreu said. “There are too many lies. Capitalism is ahead of democracy right now.”

‘I don’t understand all the hate’

Stephens, who said she grew up during the social movements of the 1960s and ’70s, noted that the divisions she’s seeing today feel painfully familiar.

“I remember when there was a lot of turmoil – we fought for a lot of things, and we’ve lost them since this administration took over,” Stephens said. “We don’t have to agree to think the same things, but we can agree to disagree and be civil with each other. I don’t understand all the hate.”

She added that standing together, even across differences, is the only way forward.

“If we don’t do something, what’s going to stop him from getting rid of anybody that doesn’t agree with him?”

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