Hello! It’s Kara McGuirk-Allison, senior editor of More To The Story.
This past Saturday, I got to work with our host, Al Letson, in person. And yes, he is just as amazing as you think he is. We met up at the "No Kings" rally in Washington, DC, to hear from protesters about what brought them out. For many who feel powerless, attending the rally felt purposeful. A civil rights attorney told us, “I think it's really important to show up and to show that there's strength in numbers and that this country still belongs to us.”
While their reasons for showing up varied, the one common thread was their grievances against President Trump and his administration, and their fear for the future of our country. We met a woman from Puerto Rico concerned about the cuts to research and vaccinations. We met a young Black man highlighting DC statehood and the future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We met a Muslim immigrant who hopes for a brighter future for his children. And we met others worried about deportations and ICE raids.
While leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson called the nationwide events the “Hate America Rally,” we consistently heard stories reflecting a wish for gentler times.
“I want a country where we are back to kindness and love and treating our neighbor with respect and dignity,” a protester named Sarah told us.
I hope you’ll take a listen to this week’s special episode of More To The Story.
—Kara McGuirk-Allison
