Knox Dems, ChangeTN and Indivisible Tennessee Plan Presidents’ Day Protest of Trump, Musk
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Feb. 14, 2025)--The heads of East Tennessee Democratic and progressive organizations have joined hands to organize a “Not My Billionaires” protest in Knoxville on Monday so that Representative Tim Burchett and Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty cannot hide from the damage this administration is doing to East Tennessee.
Inspired by coordinated protests throughout the United States on Presidents’ Day, the Tennessee Democratic Party, Knox Dems, the Democratic Parties of Anderson/Sevier/Blount Counties, ChangeTN, and Indivisible Tennessee have teamed up to organize a Knoxville protest calling out unelected shadow President Elon Musk and the devastating impact his careless actions are having in East Tennessee.
Already, Tennesseans are feeling the effects from the extremist budget cuts made by Elon Musk and his rogue minions in the name of “DOGE” at the direction of President Donald Trump. The University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory will see funding slashed for critical programs as a result of Trump and Musk’s reckless attempts to trim the budget. Together, these institutions employ thousands of East Tennessee residents and are critical to the Tennessee economy. Representative Tim Burchett and Senators Blackburn and Hagerty are complicit in allowing billionaires more and more power over government spending, instead of speaking up for working-class folks in East Tennessee. “East Tennesseeans are having their lives upended by an unelected and out-of-touch billionaire cutting the jobs and programs that put food on their tables,” said Knox Dems Chair Stuart Hohl. “Democratic county parties across East Tennessee are organizing so hardworking people can protest these actions, and show how much pain these cuts are already causing here at home.”
“If Rep. Burchett continues to ‘aww-shucks’ the Trump-Musk coup; he will eventually pay a political price at the polls for selling out rural folks. Tim Burchett can wear all the working class jackets he wants, but he has forgotten where he came from; if he ever knew to begin with,” said Indivisible Tennessee co-organizer Kim Spoon.
“What we’re witnessing is not just an unparalleled attack on the federal government, but the destruction of our state,” said ChangeTN Executive Director Gabe Rutam-Ram. “Millions of Tennesseans rely on federal programming for food, accessibility, and their jobs. We will not be silent while Tennesseans' lives and livelihoods are at stake. This isn’t about left or right, this is about protecting Tennesseans’ way of life”
Knox County “Not My Billionaires” Rally Details:
WHO: Knox Dems, the Democratic Parties of Anderson/Sevier/Blount Counties, ChangeTN, Indivisible Tennessee and concerned East Tennesseeans.
WHAT: Allied groups are coming together in protest to directly ask Rep. Burchett and Senators Blackburn and Hagerty, “Will you vote for a budget that lets Trump and Musk override spending decisions and slash Social Security for working Tennesseans? No dodging the question; no excuses.”
WHEN: Noon to 1 p.m. EST WHERE: 800 Market St, Knoxville, TN 37902
WHY: We DEMAND that Rep. Tim Burchett and Senators Hagerty and Blackburn stop enabling Elon Musk and pass a responsible budget that protects working people – not billionaires.
