Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” along with other American protest anthems, could be heard on the corner of Nashville Road and Campbell Lane, with signs held to the sky by protestors fighting for their First Amendment right.

SOKY Indivisible took to the corners of Nashville Road and Campbell Lane, Scotsville Road and Campbell Lane, Broadway Avenue and U.S. 31 W Bypass, and at the University Drive and U.S. 31 W Bypass roundabout, on Saturday for their “Four Corner Protests.” The scattered nature of the protest was used as a strategy to get SOKY Indivisible’s message to more people, Teresa Christmas, a member of SOKY Indivisible’s leadership team, said.

Protesters said they felt their First Amendment rights were being attacked under the current presidential administration.

“You can’t really debate whether we have free speech or not,” Denise Zielinski, a 74-year-old founding member of SOKY Indivisible, said. “It’s right in the Constitution, and a lot of people think it’s the most important one, or the foundational one, because a lot of things are based on it.”

The First Amendment protects the right to freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly and petition from the government. Protestors said they felt that these ideals are at risk due to events like Stephen Colbert getting taken off air, federal funding cuts to PBS and NPR and the ongoing changes being made to higher education by the Trump administration.

“I believe in this country so much,” Coralyn Torrey, a 74-year-old resident of Bowling Green, said. “If we don’t stand up we’re going to lose it (freedom of speech).”

Signs drew action from passers-by with statements like “Honk 4 Free Speech.” Each time a horn blasted, protesters rejoiced. 

Other signs took a much more straightforward approach. Gary Brown, a 72-year-old resident of Smiths Grove, held a sign that said “Free Speech, Our Right.”

“Couldn’t be much plainer,” Brown said.