Middle Tennessee Immigration Rallies Draw Thousands, Counter-Protestors

NASHVILLE, TN — At least 1,000 protesters filled South Nashville's Coleman Park for a Wednesday night rally organized by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, while a similar rally in Murfreesboro escalated into a shouting match between marchers and counter-protesters.

The "We All Belong" events, which were held in at least six cities across the state, were organized by the TIRRC to protest President Donald Trump's executive orders suspending entry for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries, stopping the United States' refugee program, authorizing the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and punishing sanctuary cities.

The TIRRC said 3,500 people were at Coleman Park, though an early estimate from the Metro Nashville Police Department put the number closer to 1,500.

"Islam taught me to give back to you what you gave to me. As a Muslim, it is my obligation to you to be strong, to uphold justice and to protect your rights," speaker Dima Sbenaty, who said her family fled Syria, told the crowd. "That is how America raised me."

Police said there were no problems at the Nashville rally, but things did get a bit hot in Rutherford County.

According to WPLN, the rally on the square in Murfreesboro drew not only hundreds of supporters, but also counter-protesters, including a "motorcycle gang" with pro-Trump signs and Confederate flags. Though police eventually blocked the square to vehicle traffic, the bikers marched in on foot and countered the "No ban, no wall" chants of marchers with "Go Trump, go home" chants of their own.

The tension did ease a bit, however, when both sides agreed to a moment of silence.

Image via Patch staff