2026 Palm Sunday Witness

in Solidarity with Our Neighbors

Program
Programa en español

On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ public procession into Jerusalem—a march of courage, humility, and holy disruption in the face of empire. This year, we embodied that story in our own city.

On Sunday, March 29, we gathered in downtown Nashville at First Lutheran Church and processed together to the State Capitol Complex. With palms in hand, clergy in purple stoles, banners raised, and songs and prayers on our lips, we offered a serious, prayerful, and determined witness.

We paused at two locations along the route—the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and the William Snodgrass Tennessee Tower Plaza near the Capitol. At these stops, we will take time for brief reflections, scripture, prayer, and song focused on three calls of Jesus:

  • Free the Oppressed – Standing against rising authoritarianism, racism, and Christian nationalism, and proclaiming Christ’s justice and dignity for all.

  • Feed the Hungry; Care for the Sick – Lifting up the harm caused by cuts to food assistance and healthcare, and remembering Jesus’ call to feed and heal.

  • Welcome the Stranger – Bearing witness to the Gospel call to compassion for immigrants and refugees.

This was a nonviolent, prayerful public witness. Our tone was one of lament and hope—clear, faithful, and grounded in love of neighbor. Speakers reflected the diversity of our community, especially those most directly impacted by current policies. People of faith and conscience walked, prayed, sang, and stood together for justice in our time.

A group of diverse people participating in a protest march on a city street, holding a large banner with messages advocating for compassion, justice, and care for the oppressed and needy. Some individuals are wearing sunglasses and casual clothing, a
Inside a church filled with people seated on pews for a service, with large stained glass windows on both sides depicting religious scenes, an altar at the front with a cross, and a religious painting hanging above the altar.
A group of diverse adults sitting in a row, attending a meeting or conference, some with hands clasped or hands on the lap, attentively listening.
A woman singing into a microphone, raising her hands, and wearing a purple patterned outfit, with a cross and candles in the background.
A woman with glasses speaking into a microphone while three other women listen, one holding papers and another wearing a hat, in a wood-paneled room.
An elderly man with glasses and a colorful collared shirt and jacket, seated with his hands clasped in prayer, attending a meeting with other diverse people in a room.
A large group of people participating in a protest or rally, holding signs and palm leaves. One sign reads 'BE FRUITFUL, MULTIPLY AND REPLANT THE EARTH.' The crowd includes diverse ages and genders, many wearing sunglasses and casual clothing.
A man with a beard and short hair, dressed in a dark suit and wearing a purple and pink striped clergy stole, is passionately speaking or singing into a microphone inside a church. He appears emotional, with his eyes closed and mouth open, gesturing
People holding a banner and signs protesting outside a modern building. The signs include messages such as 'Palm Sunday was a no King's protest' and others calling for justice, compassion, and welcoming strangers.
Two men speaking at an outdoor event, one wearing a purple vest and glasses, the other wearing a beige hat and yellow shirt with a quote.
A diverse group of people participating in a protest or rally outdoors. They are holding signs and palm branches, with some signs displaying messages about immigration and religious quotes. Many are wearing sunglasses and some are dressed in casual c
Close-up of diverse group of people, including an older woman with gray hair and a dark-skinned woman with glasses, smiling at an outdoor event, with green palm leaves in the foreground.
A group of people protesting with signs that include messages like 'Free the Oppressed,' 'Love,' 'Welcome,' and others. The crowd is diverse, with many wearing sunglasses and hats, and they seem to be outdoors during the day.
A group of people gathered outdoors, some with their eyes closed and hands clasped, appearing to pray or meditate, during daytime.
A man dressed as a priest is speaking into a microphone at a public event, with several women in the background listening.
Crowd of people gathered outside a government building during a protest or rally, with some holding signs and banners.
Group of people at a public gathering or protest, with one person holding a sign with a Bible verse, and a child sitting on an adult's lap.
An elderly man singing and playing an acoustic guitar in a church, with a large religious painting of Jesus behind him.
A man with a beard and purple scarf bends down to shake hands with an elderly woman wearing glasses and a yellow shirt, both holding green plants during a social or religious event.
Group of diverse people, including two women in purple robes, attending a religious or community event, with some smiling and engaged.
Group of elderly people gathered at an indoor event, smiling and appearing cheerful, with some holding green plants.
A man with a beard speaking into a microphone at a public event, gesturing with his hand, wearing a dark blazer and a multicolored striped scarf.
Crowd of people at a protest or rally holding signs with religious messages, including quotes from Jesus and references to the Ten Commandments.
Two women speaking at an outdoor event, one in the foreground with glasses and braided hair, and another woman with gray hair and glasses in the background. Both are wearing purple sashes.
A diverse group of people participating in a peaceful protest or rally, many holding green leaves, with some praying and others singing or speaking, outdoors during the daytime.
Two women at a public event, one speaking into a microphone, wearing a straw hat, dark sunglasses with floral decorations, and a white embroidered stole. The other woman has short black hair, sunglasses on her head, and is holding papers. They are st
A diverse group of people participating in a peaceful outdoor prayer or reflection, with some holding palm branches and others with eyes closed or praying.
A group of diverse clergy members and church leaders standing on steps outside a church, dressed in clerical clothing and purple stoles, smiling for a photo.
A man with a beard speaking into a microphone during a church service, wearing religious attire including a collar and a decorative vest with a cross necklace, standing in front of a blurred background with religious symbols and candles.

Palm Sunday Witness in the News

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We will gather at First Lutheran Church (113 8th Ave. S., near 8th & Broadway) in downtown Nashville. The event will begin there with a brief orientation and litany of lament before we process toward the Capitol.

  • Free parking is available at First Lutheran Church in their lots at the corner of 8th Ave. and McGavock. There are also nearby paid lots and street parking throughout the downtown area. If possible, consider carpooling or riding the bus.

  • The full witness will last approximately 90 minutes, including the procession and two brief stops for prayer, song, and reflection.

  • This is a nonviolent, prayerful public witness rooted in the Christian tradition of Palm Sunday. Our tone is serious, lamenting, hopeful, and grounded in love of neighbor. We are committed to peaceful presence—no violent rhetoric or actions.

    • Comfortable walking shoes

    • Water

    • Palm branches (if you have them; some will be available)

    • Clergy should brings stoles and wear collars

  • The route is approximately 45 minutes of walking on downtown sidewalks with several stopping points. If you are unable to walk the full procession, you are welcome to join at any of the designated stopping locations or gather at the final stop near the Capitol.

    Church vans with a limited number of seats also will be available for those who would have difficulty walking in the procession.

  • If you are unable to walk between sites but want to participate, we can provide transportation for a limited number of people from site-to-site. You can RSVP for transportation by clicking here

  • If you bring a sign, please bring one that is nonviolent and in harmony with the call to respect all of God’s children.

Flyer for Palm Sunday Witness event on March 29 at 2 pm at First Lutheran Church, Nashville, TN. Features a purple and gray background with an outline of the Tennessee State Capitol and logos of Christian organizations at the bottom.
A purple palm leaf with the words "Palm Sunday Worship Partnership" overlayed.
Southen charity logo with the word 'southern' in black, stylized font, and the 't' in orange, with 'charity' in gray underneath.
A stylized globe with a mosaic pattern in green, yellow, red, black, and white, featuring three white stars on the left side, representing the flag of Suriname.
Tennessee logo with the words 'Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors'
Logo with a colorful cross inside a green circle and the text 'The United Methodist Church' beside it.
Text reading 'Catholic Charities Diocese of Nashville' in dark purple and black on a white background.
Logo of the Tennessee Valley Conference featuring a stylized red flame and blue waves.