MAYVILLE, Tenn. — A wave of protestors gathered outside the Blount County Courthouse on Saturday, adding their voices to the nationwide “Hands Off” movement. The local demonstration, fueled by concerns over the Trump administration’s policies, drew over 400 people who carried signs demanding change and voicing opposition to the administration’s handling of key social issues.
The crowd was united by a common desire to see a return to kindness and compassion in political discourse. Wendy Tittsworth, a member of Blount County Indivisible, spoke passionately to the crowd, urging for a shift toward kindness in today’s polarized environment. “We just want to bring back kindness. Kindness needs to make a comeback,” she said, reflecting the sentiment shared by many in attendance.
The protest in Blount County had its roots in the efforts of Mel Pierce, who was inspired by the nationwide protests and decided to create a local rally. “I heard that there were nationwide protests going on, but I didn’t see one for my county. So, I decided to put out a post, thinking maybe 15 people would show up. That day, we had about 300. It was a great turnout, and that’s how the movement began here,” Pierce explained. What started as a small initiative has now grown into a significant local movement with the formation of a Blount County chapter of Indivisible Tennessee.
Indivisible Tennessee, a national grassroots organization, aims to engage communities in political activism and bring attention to issues they believe are crucial to preserving democratic values. Tittsworth emphasized the power of unity, stating, “There are so many people out in the world, and there are a million different schools of thought. When you go out and speak for what you think is important, it connects you to others who understand you. It builds community, and that’s what matters.”
Protestors in Blount County and across the country are particularly focused on the preservation of vital programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Despite the White House’s assurances earlier this month that President Trump would “always protect” these programs, protestors remain steadfast in their fight for democracy. “We’re not going to stop until we see change,” said Sanyiah Cathcart, a leadership team member with Indivisible Tennessee. “It affects change. We know it’s going to take 3.5% of Tennessee—about 250,000 people in the streets—to make an impact. That’s our goal: 250,000 people showing up.”
With future protests already in the works, including one planned for Knoxville on Friday, the momentum of the “Hands Off” movement shows no signs of slowing down. Indivisible Tennessee is committed to continuing its advocacy efforts across East Tennessee, with plans to hold additional demonstrations in the coming weeks.
As the movement grows, it remains focused on one central goal: to ensure that the voices of those who feel unheard in today’s political climate are not lost. Whether or not the administration will respond to the growing protests remains uncertain, but the organizers are clear about their intent: to push for a change that they believe is vital for the future of the nation.
