No Kings Day: A Peaceful Display of Patriotism and Hope

This weekend, President Trump took to Truth Social to post an AI-generated video depicting himself wearing a crown, flying a jet marked “King Trump,” and dumping fecal matter on “No Kings” protesters below. It is not the first time he has shared an image of himself wearing a crown, but the symbolism is unmistakable. A video of the president dumping excrement on fellow Americans is both grotesque and a crude metaphor for how his administration treats those outside the billionaire class. Ironically, that imagery validates exactly why millions turned out across the nation and around the world: to reject the idea of his unchecked power.​

On “No Kings Day,” more than 40,000 Tennesseans joined millions nationwide to stand for democracy, unity, and constitutional principles. Manchester drew around 100 patriots and Tullahoma about 150—numbers exceeding those of the first No Kings Protest in June. Across the country, an estimated 8.1 million people participated, making it one of the largest coordinated demonstrations in American history.

Despite the massive turnout, not a single protest-related incident of violence or vandalism was reported anywhere in the country. In Manchester, a brief confrontation occurred when a truck of teenagers threw a slushie at protestors—but even then, the mood remained calm and peaceful. Participants’ enthusiasm and creativity, with some dressed as skeletons, inflatable dinosaurs, and aliens, emphasized that dissent can be both fun and deeply patriotic.

Opponents of the movement have tried to label participants as extremists and as “anti-American.” The real “hate America rally” took place on January 6th, 2021. What actually filled the streets during “No Kings Day” were American flags, laughter, and neighborly solidarity. 

The event’s success is undeniable: the “No Kings” movement is surging across Tennessee, and MAGA is imploding under the ugly truth of the Big Beautiful Bill that gutted the ACA and Medicaid. Even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is speaking out against this administration. 

The Coffee County Democratic Party invites residents to continue this spirit of engagement. On Sunday, October 26th, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Administrative Plaza Community Room, the next event in the Informed Citizen Series will feature a screening of the documentary White with Fear, which is an explosive deep dive into the conservative political machine's decades-long quest to manipulate Americans by exploiting racial fears. A Q&A will follow with Dr. Troy Smith, professor of history at Tennessee Tech University.

The message from No Kings Day remains simple and powerful: democracy thrives when ordinary people stand up, speak out, and care for one another. This is what an anti-authoritarian, anti-fascist movement looks like—peaceful, hopeful, and profoundly American.

P.S. Call Speaker Johnson and tell him to swear in Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona. She will be the crucial 218th signature on a discharge petition that would force a vote to release the Epstein files.

Mike Stein

Chair, Coffee Co. Democratic Party