We’re now in the final hours before we take to Knoxville’s streets to demand Hands Off! the programs that the middle class and working families rely on.
As of today, more than half a million people across the country have already registered for similar local events, and the energy is off the charts! We know that with all of us standing together and making our voices heard we can win this, and this Saturday is the first huge step in uniting our voices toward that win.
Now, let’s get down to those final details for Saturday our team has spent weeks hashing out.
We will be starting at the Veterans Memorial in the World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville at 2pm.
From there we will separate into 5 groups (each with a leader) and radiate out along Western Ave., Broadway, and Summit Hill with our signs. We are expecting a large crowd – so this will be a slow, steady, and organized walk which will take into consideration varying degrees of mobility of participants.
Once we’re all in place, be sure your signs are visible to passing traffic! (We will be bringing extra signs, so don’t worry if you haven’t had time to make one.)
This is a visibility event, not a protest or disruption event – we are not permitted for the latter. Our signs and sheer NUMBERS are our noise! There are so many people who don’t realize they aren’t alone or are ‘on the fence’. Our hope is to reach those people to let them know they’re NOT alone while also making a BOLD STATEMENT for the media and our elected officials.
Code of conduct:
We are operating by MLK Rules. This is a peaceful, nonviolent action.
– Stay on the sidewalk – we want to be safe and respectful of people going about their day.
– Do not block business entrances or driveways – we are not targeting businesses.
– Do not engage counter protesters – that’s what they want. Ignore them as long as it is safe to do so. Reach out to one of the volunteers in yellow vests if anything were to escalate.
– Do not display lewd or inflammatory gestures towards others.
– Signs should similarly not contain lewd, profane, or inflammatory content – we are more likely to get publicity with media if everything is kept PG.
– DO take photographs and videos when safe to do so – be visible so that others may avoid the picture/video if they desire to not be recorded.
– Be respectful of others personal space, spreading out as necessary – for safety and room to move.
– Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to the event.
– Violations of these guidelines may result in you being asked to correct the situation or leave.
This is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to peaceful demonstration as the path to change.
Here is a GREAT video on non violence, de-escalation, and your rights while publicly demonstrating.
https://youtu.be/_Pgmn9QRr48?si=JBESWepShHg2Z5NA
And please follow this link for a detailed map with legend of the Hands Off! event meeting location, walking route, placement by mobility, parking options, and locations of public restrooms:
Hands Off information map 05APR2025 – https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1DE8_2ko2riXEcITgeStbTEYaZlx7dNY&usp=sharing
Also note that in Knoxville, a handicapped driver can park in any municipally owned or leased parking lot or metered space for the maximum allowed time without charge, as per Knoxville’s Code of Ordinances.
It’s going to be a busy weekend in downtown Knoxville, so if you are local you may want to consider taking public transportation or ride with a friend!
The energy of a peaceful demonstration is profound and life giving, being part of one big body, a sea of people who believe in goodness and Democracy. The anxious “I” turns to “We.”
We are not alone. We are Indivisible!
Thank you so much for all you do. Thank you for being part of this. We can’t wait to see you on Saturday.
–The Indivisible Knoxville planning team