Memphis Mayor Addresses No Kings Protest Clash

Paul Young says organizers should have filed for a parade permit to march through city streets.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:20pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting depicting a crowd of protesters marching down a city street, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of color representing the dynamic and confrontational nature of the event.The clash between Memphis police and protesters during the No Kings rally exposes the complexities of balancing free speech and public safety.Memphis Today

Memphis Mayor Paul Young has provided details on the clash between protesters and police during a recent No Kings rally in the city. Young said the rally itself was peaceful, but issues arose when protesters moved from the permitted gathering area at Church Park onto nearby streets without a proper parade permit. The mayor stated the city supports peaceful assembly rights, but needs advance notice to properly plan for and facilitate marches that will use public roadways.

Why it matters

The No Kings protests have been ongoing in Memphis, with this latest incident leading to multiple arrests and criticism from advocates who claim police unnecessarily escalated the situation. The mayor's comments highlight the need for clear communication and coordination between protest organizers and city officials to ensure public safety while also protecting the right to free assembly.

The details

According to Young, the No Kings rally began peacefully at Church Park, where organizers had a permit for a gathering. However, when protesters later moved onto nearby Beale Street and then 2nd Street, they were no longer within the permitted area. Young said for nearly 40 minutes, there was a 'back-and-forth' between police and protesters who refused to leave the street, ultimately leading to a confrontation.

  • The No Kings protest took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • The rally began around 2 p.m. at Robert R. Church Park.
  • When protesters moved onto 2nd Street, the situation escalated for nearly 40 minutes.

The players

Paul Young

The mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, who provided details on the clash between protesters and police during the recent No Kings rally.

Indivisible Memphis

The organizer of the No Kings protest that led to the clash with police.

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What they’re saying

“If this rally was intended to include a march, which now appears to be the case as they had outfitted parade marshals, the organizers should have filed a parade permit. If a protest is going to move into the street, we can plan for it. We can close roads. We can redirect traffic. We can put officers in the right places so people can both move safely and be heard.”

— Paul Young, Mayor of Memphis

What’s next

The city of Memphis is still reviewing the events that led to the clash between police and protesters during the No Kings rally to determine if any policy changes or other actions are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of clear communication and coordination between protest organizers and city officials to ensure public safety and the protection of free assembly rights. Going forward, the city and community will need to work together to find the right balance and processes to facilitate lawful demonstrations.