I got up at 5 AM to help set up a booth at the Greenbrier Car Show – Rumble in the Brier for the Robertson County Democratic Party at 6 AM. I was back home at 715 and we left for Nashville for the No Kings Protest at 815. A colleague from Nashville Tools for Schools joined us and carried a sign that Craig made in 2017 for Trump’s visit to Nashville. Yesterday we added a crown on baby Trump with the word “King me Daddy” to be consistent with the theme. Craig also updated his sign. Instead of Hands off the VA Asshole, it now reads Piss on your birthday parade Taco Boy. So many people took pictures of these two signs.
The protest started at 10 AM and when we arrived at 945, the lower level next to the “stage” was full so we stood at the back. We parked in a place that was a fair distance away and there were not too many others there so I was worried about the turnout. As the protest got started, the speakers were using bull horns and we couldn’t hear anything except the chants as they filtered back. It rained for about 5 minutes. At some point, one of the volunteers came by and encouraged people to move north and have people line up on both sides of a major street as we couldn’t hear the speakers anyway. As we turned around, we were stunned that the entire park behind us had filled up with protesters. Young and old, mobile and in wheelchairs. I was overwhelmed with emotion as we walked through all of the people that were still trying to move forward. It was peaceful and joyous. Many people recognized Craig from our previous protests.
These are Craig’s reflections on the protest: “Tamara and I demonstrated in Nashville today and were REALLY heartened. 💕 Not only a great turnout— I’m guessing 3000 to 5000– but with the great energy and determination they all they radiated. Lots of young, old, and in-between people, and a lot of veterans (YAY!) —a whole cross-section of humanity there. There was no other place on earth I wanted to be in that moment and with damn good company to boot!”
The RCDP table had good traffic at the Rumble in the Brier as well. As the table was at a car show, Andrew had little toy cars for the kids. If you get the kids, you get the parents. This was our second outing and we will work to make it more inviting and get some action shots next time.
A very HOPEFUL DAY!!!!
Tamara Unleashed 
A little more about our day…
I met and had good conversations with four different 11 Bravos (army infantry), two on active duty at Fort Campbell; a PFC with one year in and a just retired E-8 Master Sergeant with 22. They both wore masks and sunglasses for obvious reasons. Others were Afghanistan and Iraq vets; 173rd airborne division and 82nd airborne. We saw Vietnam vets, Navy and Air Force vets in the crowd; four of them women. Felt damn good to see all of them there. Was especially impressed with the young PFC. He told me he’d been in for a year and asked if I had any tips. I said “Yeah, stay away from the infantry.“ He said, “too late“ and we shared a little “11B-bite-your-lip moment”. He was obviously serious about his military service and just as serious about the welfare of his country. I was proud of him for being there.
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