Democrats and activist groups in Tennessee have announced a “Rapid Response Protest” to show their support for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the citizen of El Salvador who was deported in March and returned to the United States last week by the U.S. Department of Justice to face charges for an allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants, as he is arraigned in Nashville on Friday.
According to an event page on the progressive organizing website Mobilize, the protest is organized by a “group of local organizations” who claim Abrego Garcia is being subjected to “trumped-up charges” after being returned from El Salvador, where the activists claim he was “abducted” and deported “without due process.”
One of the organizations behind the protest, UVOTN, published a list of demands that include an end to “the persecution and scapegoating of Kilmar,” as well as an end to the weaponization of justice, constitutional abuses, vengeful prosecutions, political trials,” as well as the “wrongful deportation” and “demonization” of illegal immigrants.
The protest is also supported by Indivisible TN7, a local activist group that states its purpose is to “take action, build collective purpose, create progressive change, and preserve our democracy.”
Another organization featured on the event flyer is the Tennessee Democracy Network, an East Tennessee nonprofit that states it is “committed to nonpartisan civic leadership and civic education initiatives that build community.”
The fourth group on the flyer is Third Act Tennessee, which is part of “a national movement of older Americans seeking to make a difference as we face the climate crisis and respond to our threatened democracy.”
Flyers for the protest were also shared by the Williamson County Democratic Party and the Blount County Democratic Party. The Tennessee Star contacted both to ask whether they were involved with the organization of the protest, but did not receive a response. They likewise did not respond when asked by The Star about the recent California riots in response to federal immigration enforcement, or whether they would call for protesters to remain peaceful in Tennessee.
With the protest organized by at least two activist groups based outside Nashville, and supported by Democrats outside the city, The Star also asked Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) what steps it was taking ahead of the protest, and whether the department is prepared for the possibility the protest could escalate into a riot, as seen in Los Angeles over the weekend, where President Donald Trump has activated the National Guard and called in 700 U.S. Marines to restore order. MNPD did not respond before press time.
U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-07), who is leading a congressional probe investigating Nashville’s response to recent federal immigration enforcement, condemned the protest in a post to the social media platform X.
🚨A coordinated insurrection is being planned this Friday in Nashville—just one day after the deadline I gave Freddie to turn over documents for our congressional investigation.
If Freddie O’Connell had an ounce of respect for our State left, he would use every resource to… pic.twitter.com/ZGRn0petwm
— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) June 9, 2025
Notably, the protest is scheduled a day before the nationwide “No Kings” protests on Saturday, which are reportedly linked to American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.
Abrego Garcia was returned to the United States last week, when he appeared before a magistrate judge who denied his public defender’s request to be freed pending trial. He stands accused of smuggling illegal immigrants as part of a nearly 10-year conspiracy, with his passengers ranging from gang members to minor children over more than 100 trips.
The Star was first to report that Abrego Garcia was stopped by the Tennessee Highway Patrol on November 30, 2022, when he was suspected of human trafficking, but ordered to be released by the “Biden-era FBI.”
– – –
Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
OUR GOVERNOR WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE THE AREA AROUND THE FEDERAL BUILDING GUARDED BY STATE TROOPERS, ICE, AND PERHAPS TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD.
THIS ILLEGAL CRIMINAL DIES NOT DESERVE AN OUNCE OF FREEDOM IN THIS COUNTRY EVER AGAIN. TGE SOONER HE GETS DEPORTED BACKNTO CECOT THE BETTER. IF HIS WIFE WANTS TO LIVE NEAR HIM, SHE CAN MOVE TO EL SALVADORE
IM SO SICK OF THE BILLIONAIRE GLOBALISTS / COMMUNISTS WHO ARE FUNDING THE INSURRECTIONS & ANARCHY IN AMERICA.
NO MEXICAN FLAGS ALLOWED IN AMERICA.
Child and gang member smuggling. Send him back home.
How about a “No qUEENS” counter-protest?
During the administration of the worst president in my lifetime, I don’t once remember the right engaging in mass riots and protests, including the destruction of private property. J6 was still the Trump Administration so that doesn’t count. and BTY, it will come out in the next year or so how utterly treasonous the democrats were as it relates to their instigation of the protest.
Why do democrats behave in such a childish manner; inciting riots and physical violence, screaming at people, holding up stupid signs, calling everyone on the right a fascist (when they don’t even know the definition of the word), and going out of their way to defend criminals that jeopardize the well being of the public? I have yet to hear from a single democrat why their marxist ideology is what’s best for America. They can’t, they are lemmings and sheep that have lost the ability to reason right from wrong. The current administration, elected by the MAJORITY of lawful Americans is not going to pussy foot around. Americans are sick and tired of the democrat behavior. Grow the hell up.
All of these are Marxist groups and should be monitored very closely. They are going to try stage a riot like they have in LA.
The Democrat Party hates women, hates American culture and hates babies in the womb. The next Civil War can’t come soon enough.
The Demo(n)crat party is LOADED with women!
Current immigration law, now being enforced, was passed by Congress in 1996 and signed into law by then President Bill Clinton who reportedly deported 12 million illegal aliens. There was. NO king involved, then or now.
Illegal aliens do NOT have the rights, “privileges and immunities of citizens”. Therefore their lawful “due process” is deportation—Out!
Where were these hypocrite lunatics when President Trump and his supporters were the victims of a weaponized DOJ, Constitutional abuse, vengeful prosecutions and sham trials?
Oh, yes, they only defend actual criminals, illegals, invading armies, terrorist gangsters, human traffickers and the like.
This insanity must end.
It’s going to rain for five days straight starting Friday. Hope they enjoy Tennessee weather.