When Donald Trump was set to take office, thousands of young people filled the streets of Washington, D. C. , to make their voices heard. JoJo Milton, 26, traveled from Tennessee to join the People’s March. He worried about the future of the planet, LGBTQ+ rights, and women's rights. For him, protecting democracy was the key to preserving these values.

Holding a sign that read “Deny Fascism, Defend Democracy, Depose Oligarchs”, JoJo had felt hopeless after the election. But the march reignited his hope for change. Analilia Mejia, a leader in the Popular Democracy in Action movement, spoke at the march. She highlighted the importance of continuous grassroots engagement to maintain democracy. “We’re organizing at every level because this is our government, ” she stated, encouraging everyone to engage more disconnected voters.

Jody Zhuo, a 19-year-old student at George Washington University, joined the protests. She saw the potential ban on TikTok as a threat to her connection with current events. The march offered her a chance to take action against policies she opposed. “I needed to do something, ” Jody explained, showing how the young generation is stepping up to shape their future.

Young Protesters March to Defend Democracy in DC

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