What Democracy Sounds Like

Voices for Democracy: Hopkinsville, Kentucky, March 28, 2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469032/fan_mail/new] About 150 protestors stood up for democracy in front of the Justice Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky as part of the third nationwide ‘No Kings’ protest on March 28.  One Hopkinsville protestor brought along recorded music appropriate for the day, blaring out the lyrics, "Get up, stand up for  your rights," by the Jamaican reggae band Bob Marley & the Wailers. The March 28 protests drew an estimated eight million people to more than 3,000 locations in cities and towns across America.  Demonstrators oppose an increasing list of actions by the Trump administration. Issues include the war with Iran launched by President Donald Trump without Congressional approval, ICE raids that have targeted immigrants often without due process, the killing of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti at demonstrations in Minneapolis and the erosion of the balance of power among the branches of government.  I’m Rhonda Miller. I talked with demonstrators in Hopkinsville, a town of 30,000 in southwestern Kentucky about 12 miles north of the Tennessee border. Hopkinsville is the center of an agricultural and industrial region near the sprawling Fort Campbell Army base.  The protestors included U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps veterans, mental health professionals, retail workers and many retired people who said they're concerned about the increasing threats to democracy previously unimaginable in America. Hopkinsville protestors ranged in age from their 20s to their 70s, some who said they first began protesting during the Vietnam war. This is what democracy sounds like when Americans stand up to save their country. I’m Rhonda Miller in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.     Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469032/support]

Signs of Fascism: Nashville, Tennessee, March 13, 2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469032/fan_mail/new] Stark black signs with white letters are lined up along a busy intersection in Nashville, Tennessee. The signs blare out a warning: American democracy is in danger.   The silent protest called "Signs of Fascism" is to get Americans to pay attention to disturbing actions of the federal government.  I'm Rhonda Miller. On a windy Friday the 13th, that's March 13th, I talked with the protestors and read some of the signs.  "Using military and secret police on civilians."  "Accusing others of crimes you commit."  "Using fear and coercion to gain power."  "Replacing reality with lies and conspiracy theories."  Eric Lewis is one of the organizers of "Signs of Fascism." He's part of Nashville Indivisible's Green Collective.  Lewis understands that many people are not paying attention to America's slide toward fascism. That's why the protest happens at different places around the region.  For Lewis, taking an active part in protecting democracy began when he was six years old and lived in Chicago. He went with his mother to protests about the Vietnam War and civil rights.  Others in the group said they're out to help protect democracy, or because they're concerned about the lack of oversight by the Supreme Court, or because there are many actions by the current administration that threaten American freedoms. Organizer Eric Lewis held a sign about the Nashville "No Kings Day" demonstration on March 28.  It will be part of "No Kings Day" protests to be held in hundreds of cities across America. I'm Rhonda Miller in Nashville, Tennessee.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469032/support]

ICE Out for Good: Brentwood, Tennessee, Jan. 11, 2026

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469032/fan_mail/new] Demonstrators lined a busy intersection in Brentwood, an upscale community 10 miles south of Nashville, on Sunday, Jan. 11 to protest the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Renee Good, a mother of three, was killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who fired through the windshield of her car, according to videos of the fatal incident.  The January 7 killing of an American citizen by an ICE agent ignited protests in more than 1,000 cities across the U.S. in the days following the shooting.  I'm Rhonda Miller. I walked among about 150 demonstrators at a commercial intersection in Brentwood and talked to some protestors, who ranged from an 80-year-old military veteran to a mom who brought her four-year-old daughter.  This is what democracy sounds like one Sunday afternoon in January in Brentwood, Tennessee. I'm Rhonda Miller. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469032/support]

Protestors Say 'No Kings' and 'No Fascists': Clarksville, Tennessee, October 18, 2025

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469032/fan_mail/new] Crowds of demonstrators lined a major commercial thoroughfare in Clarksville, Tennessee on Oct. 18 protesting actions by the Trump administration related to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, healthcare, education, immigration raids by ICE and the use of the National Guard in U.S. cities.  The Clarksville demonstration was part of the ‘No Kings’ nationwide protest that brought out an estimated seven million people in 2,700 cities and towns across America.   Clarksville is near Fort Campbell, a sprawling Army post that spans the Tennessee/Kentucky border.  Demonstrators lining up along  Wilma Rudolph Blvd. included high school and college students, working professionals, parents with children in strollers, older Americans and military veterans.  The Oct. 18 protests happened during a U.S. government shutdown when most federal employees were not being paid.      Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469032/support]

Republican Congressman a 'No Show' at Town Hall: Goodlettsville, Tennessee, August 20, 2025

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469032/fan_mail/new] Concerned about cuts to Medicaid, the possible closing of area hospitals, cuts to SNAP food programs for children, immigration, the impending worker shortage affecting farmers, tariffs, the cost of groceries, reproductive freedom and threats to American democracy, about 70 people showed up at the Goodlettsville Branch of Nashville Public Library on Aug. 20. The Town Hall held at the library 15 miles north of Nashville was planned as a way for area residents to get information about issues in Congress from Tennessee's 6th District Congressman Republican John Rose. The only presence of Congressman Rose was a photo on an empty chair in front of the room. He was a 'no show' even though an organizer of the event said speaker requests were filed on the Congressman's website and emails and phone calls were made to his office. There was no reply. So the group got information from two panelists, Kiran Sreepada and Marissa King, Tennesseans with expertise in government issues. Longtime nurse Mary Jane Bidwell said if Rose was serving his constituents, he wouldn't be afraid to show up in person. Bidwell said as an advocate for the most vulnerable, including transgender people and residents on Medicaid, "Shame on me if I don't speak up and speak out."  Kiran Sreepada said one of his current advocacy projects is working with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. He said many immigrants in the state are scared due to ICE raids and because some who have been granted asylum hearings are picked up when they show up for their court date. Tomesia Day said one of the issues she's most concerned about is reproductive health for women.  Twenty-year-old Trent Benge, membership director for Tennessee Young Democrats, said he's concerned about the attack on democracy. He said he's also keeping up the fight for his 16-year-old transgender brother, who can't get the care he needs in Tennessee. So his father, mother and brother moved to Colorado earlier this year. Organizations supporting the area Town Hall meetings, and efforts to make Tennessee a more inclusive and equitable place for all, include Indivisible Nashville, Indivisible Sumner County, East Nashtivists and the National Women's Political Caucus of Tennessee. A 6th Congressional District Town Hall Follow Up will be held at Tailgate Brew Works in Hendersonville on Thursday, Sept. 4. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2469032/support]