These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Has your opinion on the necessity for being politically engaged and vocal changed since the Trump administration took power in January?

Asquith Clarke II, College fourth-year:

I feel a little guilty to say that throughout the previous years, I’ve been less involved. I was in a state of mind that politics was confusing and unfair, and I kind of used it as an excuse to not engage with it. But definitely, during these past few months, it’s really been a responsibility that I get involved, because a lot of people are getting killed by my silence. A lot of people are dying because of my inaction, and it doesn’t feel morally right to not educate myself and not educate others because of the position I’m in to be educated when other people don’t have that privilege. So, definitely, right now, it’s a must.

Elias Leung-Brown, College first-year:

I think Oberlin has a reputation of being this trendsetter and stuff like that, but in my time being here, I don’t know how true that is, or if I’ve seen that as much. This is one of the few protests that I’ve seen here. And now, Trump’s back in office and basically ripping up just about everything. It’s starting to get scary to speak out and put your face on something that says, “This needs to stop.” Because who knows? I wish we were more vocal, and I definitely hope that this causes something greater, because we need something pretty great. 

Adrian Wadzinski, College third-year:

I think that it’s even more important than it always is, just given the levels of authoritarianism, fascism, everything. I know a lot of queer people, and I think we have all been nervous, stressed, kind of worn down these past few months — not giving up, but of course, still going through a lot, and trying to figure out ways that we can deal with this, ways that we can try to fight, ways that we can try to keep ourselves and the people we love safe. 

Audrey Liu-Sheirbon, College third-year:

I go back and forth. I feel like I should be more politically involved in speaking out. At the same time, I definitely have some concerns as a naturalized citizen. Especially with Trump going after many immigrants right now, it seems really scary to get involved at the moment. But after all, getting involved and applying social pressure is the only way to change things.

Eero Kennerly, College second-year:

I suppose I feel like I should be doing more. But it also kind of feels like we’re all helpless, and there’s only so much each of us can do.

Jonah Feinstein, College third-year:

I think it’s super important that stuff like this happens, and I think that it’s super important that these kinds of protests get noticed by the public and people that disagree with what we’re saying because I think that protesting can be a great way to spark change and spark a movement against what’s happening. And I think that with everything that’s been going on with this administration, that’s definitely more necessary than ever. I think that a lot of what this administration has done is pretty unprecedented, in terms of how oppressive the attacks are on people’s civil rights.

Isabel Hyman, College third-year:

I feel like I’ve become more and more involved in politics. I’ve been trying to be more of an activist, and I am thrilled to be able to come to the Hands Off Rally. Public action is really necessary right now. 

Jules Crosetto, College fourth-year:

I’ve noticed that after Trump’s second election, there’s been a lot less activism against him, which I think is kind of concerning. So that’s kind of why I’m here, because I feel like I haven’t seen a ton of actual anti-Trump protests since the election and now there is fear. I think it definitely is getting scarier because we’re seeing people actually getting prosecuted for exercising their right to free speech and protesting or even just posting things on the internet. 

I also think that if people are to be silenced, then that doesn’t mean you have to resist it. People are probably feeling a fear of going out; like, at least at this protest, I’m trying to hide my face a little bit. But I don’t know, I think people also feel kind of jaded because it’s his second term, and so I think there’s kind of a sentiment of, “Just buckle down.”

As a students, how are you impacted by what the Trump administration and other state legislatures are doing?

Asquith Clarke II:

It affects every part of my life, whether I realize it or not. Like what they say, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. And so it’s just a matter of time before I’m that next group targeted by Trump and others. If he’s able to get away with his attacks on immigrants or deem anyone he wishes as a terrorist, it’s only a matter of time before he explicitly targets Black people like me. It’s all just a ticking time bomb. So I definitely think that his authoritarianism affects me, my friends, my family, and everything that I believe is right in the world.

Adrian Wadzinski:

I think of myself as someone whose mental state has always been quite impacted by [politics]. Even though a lot of the laws haven’t directly trickled down in their impact to me specifically yet — I have privilege, I’m kind of insulated from that — it’s still on an emotional level. The stress is very much weighing down and it does make it significantly harder.