No Kings Protest in Tullahoma: Patriots Stand for Democracy

Last Saturday, Tullahoma became the stage for a stirring act of patriotism as 250 citizens gathered in a peaceful “No Kings” protest, joining thousands across the nation to mark the 250th anniversary of the Continental Army’s founding. These protesters, hailing from all walks of life—young and old, Democrat and Republican, of every background—stood shoulder to shoulder in Coffee County, united by a simple, powerful message: America belongs to the people, not to kings.

The No Kings movement, which saw similar rallies in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Pulaski, and across Middle Tennessee, was a direct response to President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the Army’s founding and coinciding with his 79th birthday. While the capital’s parade featured thousands of soldiers, tanks, and military aircraft, the heart of the celebration pulsed in towns like ours, where ordinary Americans gathered not to showcase military might, but to honor the enduring principles of liberty and democracy.

The protesters in Tullahoma are heroes and patriots in the truest sense. Like the citizen-soldiers who answered the call in 1775, these modern-day patriots assembled peacefully, with resolve and love for their community and country. Their message echoed the words of the No Kings movement: “No thrones. No crowns. No kings.” They stood for democracy, for the vulnerable, and for each other, embodying the spirit of those who, 250 years ago, refused to bow to tyranny.

A brief look back reminds us why this moment matters. On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army as a bulwark against the overreach of King George III. The colonies, weary of British oppression and the threat to their liberties, united under leaders like George Washington to form an army not of mercenaries, but of volunteers—ordinary people fighting for the extraordinary idea that government derives its power from the consent of the governed. That spirit was tested at Valley Forge, where hunger, disease, and bitter cold nearly broke the Continental Army. Yet, through perseverance, unity, and the leadership of figures like Washington and Baron von Steuben, the army emerged stronger, ultimately securing victory at Yorktown and ensuring that America would never be ruled by a king.

The No Kings protesters in Tullahoma drew on this legacy. Their gathering was not just a protest, but a celebration of the American promise—a reminder that democracy is not a gift handed down by rulers, but a right earned and defended by the people. They showed Coffee County, and the nation, that there is a place for those who wish to stand up, be counted, and work for a better future.

To those who attended: you are the movement. Your courage and conviction are a beacon for others who feel unheard or unseen. Let this be just the beginning. Tell your friends, neighbors, and coworkers—anyone who worries about the country’s direction—that they are not alone. In Coffee County, there is a coalition ready to welcome all who wish to make a difference.

The Coffee County Democratic Party’s next event, the 15th Annual Fish Fry Jamboree on June 21st from 4-7 in the Ada Wright Building, promises another opportunity for community, conversation, and action. Let’s continue building a county—and a country—worthy of the sacrifices made by patriots past and present.

In Tullahoma, on this historic anniversary, we remembered that the true guardians of freedom are not those in palaces or parades, but the everyday heroes who stand together and say: No Kings.

Mike Stein

Chair, Coffee Co. Democratic Party