Interview – M

30/01/2026
Paris, France and Northampton, MA, USA

How many protests have you been to this year?

In 2025, I went to about four protests. While studying abroad, I attended a protest in Copenhagen at the parliament, demanding that Denmark recognize Palestine as a state.

At Smith College, I went to a No Kings Day protest at the beginning of the Trump administration. I don’t remember exactly what had just happened politically, but it was during a period when Trump was doing a lot of extreme things.

I also attended events organized by Smith Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), demonstrating for the college to divest from weapons manufacturers. I went to a couple of those last year.

Have you ever organized a protest?

Yes, I organized a rally in high school. It was a sexual assault awareness rally.

How did that go? Did you face any problems?

Most of the problems I encountered were administrative. Because I was in high school, I had to deal with the school administration and their rules about what students were allowed to organize.

Another major challenge was spreading awareness about the rally and getting people to attend. The turnout was not very big — around one hundred people.

How did you spread the word?

Since it was high school, social media played a big role, especially Snapchat at the time. People would post on their Snapchat stories encouraging others to come and bring their friends.

Word of mouth was also very important.

From the point of view of a participant, how do you usually find information about protests?

Almost all the information I get comes from social media or word of mouth. Sometimes my friends or even my mom will text me about a protest.

If there is something like a No Kings Day protest, it will usually appear on Instagram. I follow accounts that post about these events, and I interact with that content enough that the algorithm shows it to me.

On campus, it is mostly word of mouth. When I was in Copenhagen, I found information mainly through Instagram.

When do you decide to go to a protest? Is it always simple for you?

It mostly depends on my schedule and what I have time for. I try to attend something every couple of months, depending on how important I feel the issue is.

If something particularly bad happens in the news, I feel more motivated to go. Since I study government, I am usually well informed about current events.

Other factors include whether the protest is close by, at a convenient time, and whether I can go with someone. I am much less likely to go if I have to go alone.

The most common reasons for not going are having class, the protest being at an inconvenient time, not having people to go with, or not having transportation. I strongly believe in having a buddy system.

Do you usually find people beforehand to go together?

Yes, I have only been to protests with other people.

Looking back, I realize I have attended many political events. For example, the Dyke March in New York City could definitely be considered a protest, even if I did not think of it that way at the time.

While visiting a friend in Washington D.C. this summer, we decided to attend a protest outside the White House. We stayed for about an hour or an hour and a half.

That was probably the most high-profile protest I have attended, with reporters, press interviews, the National Guard, and a strong police presence.

How did you feel going to that protest in Washington D.C.?

Everything feels very uncertain in the U.S. right now, and it is often unclear what is dangerous and what is not.

We were unsure whether it was safer to wear a mask or not, to talk to the press or not, or to allow ourselves to be photographed.

Because we are both white women, we are aware that we have a certain amount of privilege. We felt that putting ourselves in visible positions, such as in front of cameras or between police and more vulnerable groups, was a way to use that privilege responsibly.

At the same time, we were nervous, since neither of us lives in D.C. and we are both only twenty years old.

Can you explain the “buddy system” you mentioned?

The buddy system means staying within sight of the people you come with. I usually stay with my friends for the entire protest.

The protests I have attended have been relatively small and not violent, so I have never been in direct danger. However, if something were to escalate, knowing where the people you came with are is essential.

I also try to be aware of whether there are people nearby with medical supplies or water, especially in case of injuries, heat, or tear gas.

During a protest, when do you feel most involved?

It depends on the type of protest. During sit-ins, simply being present and taking up space makes you feel involved.

During marches, chanting, yelling, or holding a sign makes me feel more actively part of the group.

How would you describe interactions with other protesters?

Interactions are usually friendly. Everyone is there for the same cause, so people are generally open, supportive, and willing to engage with each other.

How do you protect yourself when protesting?

At one point, there was concern that participating in SJP protests could affect students’ financial aid. This made me more cautious about attending highly disruptive protests.

If I do attend something like that, I am more likely to wear a mask so that I am not easily identifiable in photos.

Is there anything that could make you feel safer during protests?

My sense of safety depends a lot on the political context of the location. For example, I felt much more unsafe in Washington D.C. than in Northampton or Copenhagen.

In Denmark, strong free speech protections made me feel very safe during protests. In the U.S., the situation feels more unpredictable, especially with federal forces involved.

I think having more people trained in emergency situations, such as responding to injuries, gun violence, or tear gas, would make me feel safer. Being surrounded by experienced people is reassuring.

What do you usually do after a protest?

After a protest, I usually just go home. The only thing I might do is check when the next demonstration is happening.

How do you feel after protests?

I usually feel proud of myself for devoting the time and energy to a cause I care about.