KEPW Youth Radio Project reports from No Kings 3

Presenter: KEPW’s Youth Radio Project interviewed protesters at the historic No Kings 3 rally in Springfield March 28. 

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Why did you come here today?

Protester: I think it’s important, especially in a small town like this, that used to lean towards the red side, that marginalized groups know that they’re represented and they’re not alone. I think it’s important that we, our community, knows that we’re here. I think it’s important that they don’t forget that there are people in this community that don’t agree with what’s happening in our government.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: So many people that don’t agree about this stuff, and I feel like we have the right to stand up.

Protester: Did you have another question?

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Yes. Do you have anything else you would like to say?

Protester: I would like to say that anyone who has values that are humanitarian-focused needs to be realistic about what’s happening and needs to join the fight to take our country back.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Thank you for letting me interview you today.

Protester: Thank you for doing it. I’m so grateful to you. I appreciate you.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Why are you here?

Protester: I’m here because I want to save America, I support democracy and the rule of law, and I don’t like what’s happening in the United States today.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Do you have anything to add?

Protester: I think you’re doing fantastic. That’s what I have to add. (Thank you.) And go United States!

KEPW Youth Radio Project: What does your sign say?

Protester: The sign says ‘We are common sense, not chaos.’ And on the other side it says, ‘Stop pretending that war, unlawful arrest and environmental degradation are great. No more.’

KEPW Youth Radio Project: What does your sign say?

Protester: I have several signs, but the one I have right now that I like the best is ‘Putin is not our friend.’ Trump seems to really love Putin and Putin is not our friend.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Why did you come here today?

Protester: Because I’m very unhappy with what’s happening in the country. I am not happy. This is not a party. I’m actually p—ed off that I have to be here, but I feel like I have to do this. The country is not going in the right direction.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Yep. Do you have anything else you would like to say?

Protester: I think we have a pretty good turnout today. I’d like to see more young people out, though.

Who are you recording for?

KEPW Youth Radio Project: I’m recording for KEPW Youth Radio.

What does your sign say?

Protester: My sign says ‘Abolish ICE.’

KEPW Youth Radio Project: What did you come here for today?

Protester: I came here today because I have two children. And I think it’s important that my children see that when we believe something is wrong in this country, we have a voice and we can do something about it.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Yep. I have two little siblings with me

Protester: And I’m so, I’m so—your family is amazing for being here today, I love it. Your mom is a super lady carrying a baby on her chest. I’m so impressed with you. (Oh, I appreciate it.)

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Is there anything else you would like to say?

Protester: I would like to say that I absolutely love what you are doing. I studied journalism in college and worked for a newspaper for a while, and I think it’s awesome and I hope you have really good luck today. Thanks for being here.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: What does your sign say?

Protester: My sign says ‘No Kings.’ And ‘We are all immigrants.’

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Why did you come here today?

Protester: Because it’s time for the people to stand up. The people that have the power are in the office, and they’re making terrible calls that are hurting the people: Started another war. We just got out of the wars, trying to be a better person, a better country, and better people in it. All these people are here because they love this country.

No one gets paid. It’s just something we do to show all of us we all stand together. Either that or we all fall apart.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Is there anything else you would like to say?

Protester: No. God bless America and God bless the American people and God bless the world.

My sign says ‘No war.’ I’m here because I think war is bad. I want everyone to be free and happy to live their lives.

Okay, it says: ‘Did you not see this coming?’ So it’s a question. (I didn’t see it coming.) (He said I didn’t see it coming.) I know! You know what? A lot of people didn’t see it coming. So you are right.

It’s important to be here because we have to honor the Constitution of the United States. And that’s not happening in our country right now. And so I’m here to say that should happen. I appreciate you coming and talking to us today. Thank you for doing that. You are doing a great job.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Thank you. 

Protester: My sign says ‘You can’t spell dictator without T-A-C-O,’ which some people are calling Trump ‘TACO’ (All right) because that stands for Trump Always Chickens Out.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Why is it important to be here?

Protester: Well, we’ve got to show that we’re mad. We’re upset that he’s ruining our country. He’s taking away our democracy. People are going hungry. They’re not getting their medication because of what he does. He’s just a dreadful man, and he needs to go.

And they’re arresting five-year-olds and taking him to a detention center. (Yeah, exactly. That’s not all right.) Yeah. (And babies.) Yeah.

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Anything else you want to say?

Protester: Well, I’m very happy to be asked by you. 

My sign says ‘1, 2, 3 What are we fighting for?’ (There we go.)

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Why are you here?

Protester: Because I think our government is not doing the right things for everybody and including children. We need to pay attention to not having war and create a healthy world.

My sign says ‘No kings, no war. Stop lying. Silence is complicity.’

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Why are you here?

Protester: I’m here because I want America to represent the people, not the rich people, but everyday people like you and me and your mom.

My sign? It says ‘We the people say: No kings.’

KEPW Youth Radio Project: Okay. Why are you here?

Protester: I’m here to try to save our country.

My sign says ‘No Kings.’ I think that Trump thinks he’s a king, and I think he does things that are against the law. And I think that war is not the answer to anything. And I think education is very important, and I think our Constitution is very important. That’s why I’m here. 

I think we—our democracy is at risk. Our voting rights are at risk. And I think that we need to leave a better country to our kids.

I think everyone has the right to peaceful protest, and we need to come and let everybody know that we feel that the way our government is going is in the wrong direction. (Okay.) We want everybody to come and vote. (Vote. Vote!)

Youth Radio Project: Why is it important to be here? 

Protester: Because it’s our civic duty. 

Youth Radio Project: Anything else you want to add? 

Protester: Just to register and vote.

Presenter: You’re listening to the Youth Radio Project at No Kings 3, on KEPW 97.3, Eugene PeaceWorks Community Radio.