As rained poured down, a whole lot of protesters lined the streets on Might 3 in downtown Nashville to rally in opposition to President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.
The group grew from roughly 150 folks to 400 alongside James Robertson Parkway because the rally unfolded from midday to 2 p.m. Indicators, flags and banners had been held excessive with messages like “eat the wealthy,” “cease fascism” and “we aren’t OK.” There was even somebody wearing a dinosaur costume holding an indication that learn “SOS: Do not let rights go extinct.”
Demonstrators cheered as a gradual stream of vehicles honked in assist whereas they drove previous. Some scoffed as a Tesla rolled by the group.
Volunteers with megaphones led the group in chants, whereas others walked round handing out water, sandwiches and further indicators alongside each side of the block in entrance of the Historic Metro Courthouse.
For 19-year-old Shyanna Graves, of Franklin, Kentucky, the protest was about Trump slashing training funding, alongside together with his threats towards immigrants. Draped in a rainbow banner that learn “love all the time wins,” Graves stated her empathy for others drew her to make the one-hour drive to Nashville.
“I am bored with laying in my mattress, watching TikToks and crying about what is going on on,” she stated. “I grew up broke. I am broke. We want assist. I’ve not been to varsity, however I wish to go to varsity and I am not going to have the ability to if he takes all of the funding away.”
A passing motorist and passenger specific their assist with a crowd of individuals collaborating in a “Might Day” protest in opposition to the Trump administration on James Robertson Parkway in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday, Might 3, 2025.
Might Day: Thousands rally against Trump, Musk in nationwide protests
Additional down the road of protesters, a person in a hat, sun shades and a masks held a big, pale American flag. He stated he did not wish to be named as a result of he feared retribution from his employer for protesting.
“We’re about 250 years from our independence and we’re on the verge of turning to a king once more,” he stated. “That is unacceptable.”
Hannah Baker, 24, drove up from Tullahoma, Tennessee, for the rally. She offers with power sickness and is troubled over Trump’s proposed cuts to well being care funding. She believes it is vital that individuals make their voice heard and stick collectively.
“I really feel like everybody ought to have their rights,” Baker stated. “I do not like corruption and I really feel like sadly that is the place we’re at.”
The rally was a part of a nationwide sequence of “Might Day” protests, lots of which occurred on Might 1 — traditionally generally known as Might Day or Worldwide Employees’ Day. Greater than 1,000 rallies had been deliberate throughout the U.S. all through the week to protest Trump’s insurance policies and Musk’s affect on the White Home. Grassroots group United Volunteers of Tennessee organized the Nashville rally. The group was additionally a part of facilitating a protest in April the place hundreds turned out to Centennial Park.
Ethan Thorpe participates in a “Might Day” protest in opposition to the Trump administration on James Robertson Parkway in Nashville, Tenn., on Saturday, Might 3, 2025.
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Ethan Thorpe, a volunteer organizer with the group, stated he was moved by what number of got here out on a Saturday regardless of the rain.
“Whether or not it is for immigrant rights, for civil rights, for LGBTQ rights, regardless of the motive they’re out right here, it is nearly constructing neighborhood and making folks really feel like we’re all on this collectively,” Thorpe stated.
Rachel Wegner covers training and kids’s points for The Tennessean. Obtained a narrative you assume she ought to hear? Attain her by way of electronic mail at RAwegner@tennessean.com. You too can discover her on Twitter or Bluesky beneath the deal with RachelAnnWegner.
This text initially appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville May Day protests: Hundreds rally against Trump, Musk
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