Murfreesboro, TN - Murfreesboro Indivisible, a grassroots organization focused on First Amendment rights and the rule of law, will join the Rutherford County Library Alliance in a protest rally at 4:45 pm this Monday afternoon (12/1/2025) on the Murfreesboro Civic Plaza, 111 West Vine Street. At 5 p.m., participants will move inside City Hall for the Rutherford County Library System (RCLS) Board meeting. The meeting is expected to run until about 7 pm.

Library Alliance member Tatiana Silvas said, “We invite all members of the community who care about our public libraries and making sure we maintain full access to information to join us this Monday.”  

Organizers ask participants to wear purple, bring small signs no larger than 8.5 x 11 inches, and sign up for public comment by emailing publiccomments@rclstn.org.

The rally is in response to several recent actions by the Rutherford County Library Board voting to remove policies and recommendations from the American Library Association, a 150-year-old national organization that advocates for libraries as democratic institutions serving all people.

Silvas said, “Stepping away from ALA standards undermines the framework that guides library systems nationwide.”

Murfreesboro Indivisible is also protesting the emergency closures of Rutherford County’s seven public libraries. Silvas called the closures “illegal,” noting there was no public vote or discussion before they were announced. The closures followed a directive from Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett to remove books with LGBTQ themes within 60 days.

Silvas said. “Our public libraries are a cornerstone of American culture. People of all perspectives should be represented.”