Al Letson at No Kings: Hope, Fury, and Inflatables

Summary

Reveal: "Al Letson at No Kings: Hope, Fury, and Inflatables"

Podcast by The Center for Investigative Reporting & PRX
Host: Al Letson
Date: October 22, 2025

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Overview

This special episode drops listeners into the heart of the "No Kings" rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., an energized protest held on October 18th. Host Al Letson walks the crowd, interviewing attendees from different walks of life, all united in their resistance to what they call authoritarianism under the Trump administration. The episode captures the mood of defiance, fear, and hope, digging into personal motivations, the importance of protest, and the state of American democracy.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Atmosphere at the Rally

• Massive turnout: Thousands gathered, waving protest signs, dressed in inflatable costumes (donkey, T-Rex, eagle, chicken), and generally displaying determined but peaceful energy.
• Security Presence: Visible snipers stationed on the National Gallery's rooftop, a "surreal" juxtaposition to the peaceful crowd (14:25).

Why Protesters Showed Up

Standing Against Cruelty and Authoritarianism

• Sarah (02:19):
  • Came for neighbors "terrorized by ICE", federal workers facing furloughs, the LGBTQ community, and her children's future.
  • Wants a return to "kindness and love and treating our neighbor with respect and dignity... love all our neighbors, no exceptions" (02:46).
• Havre (17:27):
  • "I love America, and I feel like these are dangerous times... I'm here for my children, I'm here for the future of this country."
  • As a Muslim immigrant and D.C. resident, feels an amplified sense of threat (18:27).

Lasting Impact from January 6th

• Sarah (03:19):
  • On watching the Capitol insurrection, "I thought it was finally the end... I feel like things have gotten a lot worse. So it's pretty devastating."

Free Speech and Fear

• Fear of reprisal for protest participation is prevalent.
• Sarah (05:13):
  • "I believe there's a lot of bad actors, both in political power and... media, who are looking to target peaceful Americans exercising their vote."
  • Emphasizes inspiration from people fighting for civil rights in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Statehood, Democracy, and Representation

• Unnamed HBCU Student (07:14):
  • On D.C. statehood: "700,000 people not having rights... we are not a full and free democracy at all."
  • Connects D.C.'s limited representation to a broader pattern of government imposing its will "without their consent."
• Al Letson (08:36):
  • Raises the issue of federal funding threats to HBCUs affecting free speech and activism.

Civil Rights and Personal Stakes

• Unnamed Civil Rights Attorney (10:13):

  • "If we don't use that right [to free speech], especially now, we will lose."
  • Urges people not to "capitulate to the administration within ourselves."

• Unnamed Older Protester (11:14):

  • Contrasts current times to Watergate: "Nixon was forced to resign because people in his own party... said to him, you gotta go. Yeah, we don't have that now."
  • Stresses the necessity for citizens themselves to stand up for democracy.

Science, Health, and Social Programs

• Blanca (15:16):
  • Protests "cuts to research and global vaccinations" and the firing of government scientists for tax cuts to the wealthy.
  • On mass deportations and targeting of immigrants and minorities, "That is not okay. We have freedom of speech in this country."

Global and Intersectional Concerns

• Isabel (19:16):
  • Critiques U.S. handling of the Gaza crisis: "A blatant disregard of some of the greatest failures of humanity... not commit genocides, and I think that's a problem."
  • Frames the protest as vital even if immediate policy changes aren't seen—"showing the force in terms of numbers that are not okay with what's happening."

The Power and Limits of Protest

• Some skepticism about impact, but near-universal agreement among interviewees that showing up is crucial for hope and to prevent further erosion of rights.
• Isabel (20:32):
  • "Even if there's a lot of... disagreeing perspectives... it's about showing the force... that are not okay with what's happening."

The Shadow of History

• Al Letson and Isabel (21:38):
  • Draw direct parallels between modern U.S. politics and historical fascism in Germany and Italy.
  • Pointedly discuss public complacency and the risk of believing "this will not affect me":
    • Letson: "You know, it is a very weird thing... people are complacent, but they're also scared... and it always does" (22:54).
    • Isabel: "I've also been scared in the past of coming to different rallies... but this is a space for everyone to feel safe and comfortable. But then... you look over on that rooftop over there, and they've got snipers" (23:28).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The emperor's running around naked, no clothes."
  — Havre (00:20)
• "We are back to kindness and love and treating our neighbor with respect and dignity... love all our neighbors, no exceptions."
  — Sarah (02:46)
• "We are not a full and free democracy at all."
  — Unnamed HBCU Student, on D.C. statehood (08:20)
• "If we don't use that right [to free speech], especially now, we will lose."
  — Unnamed Civil Rights Attorney (10:13)
• "Our ideals were worth fighting for, and they're still worth fighting for."
  — Unnamed Older Protester (12:06)
• "Trump is making America sicker... We're not going to be just silent with all this happening."
  — Blanca (15:16)
• "These ingredients... that were happening then are happening now."
  — Isabel, on patterns of authoritarianism (21:57)
• "I think ultimately protesting is an act of hope."
  — Al Letson (20:20)
• "People are complacent, but they're also scared... and it always does [affect you]."
  — Al Letson (22:54)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:01 — Al Letson introduces the rally's urgency and sets the scene on the National Mall.
• 02:13–03:56 — Sarah on personal motives, January 6th reflections, and Democratic Party frustrations.
• 07:14–08:36 — HBCU student on D.C. statehood and threats to HBCUs.
• 10:13 — Civil rights attorney on protest, identity, and resilience.
• 11:14–12:00 — Older protester draws generational parallels; Watergate vs. today.
• 14:25–14:40 — Snipers on the roof; the surreal protest environment.
• 15:16–16:33 — Blanca on science funding cuts, deportations, and targeting dissenters.
• 19:16–21:38 — Isabel on Gaza, the nature of protest, and why mobilizing ("showing the force") still matters.
• 21:38–23:28 — Al and Isabel discuss historical warning signs, public complacency, and being honest about fear.
• 23:36 — Isabel shares her background.
• 23:57 — Final rally messages: "No President Trump. We don't want you or any other king to rule us."

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Tone & Language

The tone is direct, urgent, and personal—speakers openly express their fear, hope, disenchantment, and resolve. There's a notable blend of anger ("spineless, genuflecting... congressmen," 00:03), vulnerability (many cite fear of reprisal), and stubborn hope ("protesting is an act of hope," 20:20). The episode maintains an on-the-ground feel, giving voice to grassroots energy, generational memories, and intersectional identities.

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Conclusion

Al Letson's episode from the No Kings rally offers a grassroots snapshot of American unrest in 2025, weaving together voices of protest, trauma, and activism. It underscores the persistent belief in democracy, the foundational importance of protest, and the ever-present tension between hope and fear in turbulent times. For more, see revealnews.org/learn.

Transcript

[Al Edson]

We just want to protest the fact that our democracy seems to be going down the tubes and our spineless, genuflecting Republican senators are sitting on their thumbs. And our spineless, genuflecting, ass kissing congressmen are doing the same thing as well.

[Havre]

The emperor's running around naked, no clothes.

[Al Edson]

And nobody is saying, excuse me, emperor, you have no clothes Today. I am in the middle of a protest at the no Kings rally in Washington to find out why people came to protest and what they think the future of our country looks like. Don't go anywhere.

[Sarah]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game?

[Isabel]

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[Al Edson]

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[Sarah]

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[Al Edson]

Law, not available in all states. This is more to the story. I'm Al Edson. We are doing something a little different this week because these are extraordinary times. I'm reporting from the national mall in Washington, D.C. for the October 18th no Kings rally. I'm standing outside the Capitol building surrounded by thousands of protesters. They all have their own motivation for being here, but the common thread is to push back against Trump and the administration. Organizers call it a movement rising against his authoritarian power grabs. So the crowd is at this point, it's pretty big. There's signs everywhere. There are a lot of these air blown costumes. A donkey, Tyrannosaurus rex, a chicken, an eagle. They're having a good time. Hi. What's your name?

[Sarah]

I'd rather not give my name. Sarah.

[Al Edson]

We won't go. Your last name. How about that? Makes sense. Sarah, what brought you out here today?

[Sarah]

I want to stop the cruelty in our country. I'm here for my neighbors who are being terrorized by ice, families getting ripped apart. I'm here for my neighbors who are furloughed and aren't getting paid even though they're still working for the federal government. I'm here for the LGBTQ community whose rights are being stripped away. I'm here for my children and the future I want for them in this world. I want a country where we are back to kindness and love and treating our neighbor with respect and dignity. And I believe we are taught to love all our neighbors, no exceptions.

[Al Edson]

I want to go back in time a little bit when January 6th happened with the insurrection that happened at the Capitol. I'm curious, like when you were watching that, what did you think the trajectory of the country was from that point, did you think we were going to end up here, or do you think, like, we would trample down on that sentiment?

[Sarah]

Oh, I thought it was finally the end. I thought we had reached a climax where people would realize the insanity and that we had an armed insurrection against the United States government trying to overthrow the will of the people who had voted in a free and fair election. And we had plenty of leaders on both sides of the aisle at that time who spoke up against that treason, who have now walked it back. People who were brutalizing police officers who were defending the Capitol are now pardoned. And I feel like things have gotten a lot worse. So it's pretty devastating.

[Al Edson]

When you think about the Democratic Party, what do you think they should be doing? Or are you happy with what the Democratic Party is doing?

[Sarah]

I don't know. I want as much action as possible. I want as much resistance. I feel like somehow Democrats struggle to control the narrative, and we allow the conservative right in their media to dictate the narrative. And I wish we found a more successful way to show people that the Democratic Party is on their side. They're here for working people. They're here to protect our health care. Millions of people are going to be suffering very soon when their health care costs go way up. I like opportunities like today where we can mobilize and show our dissent and our unhappiness.

[Al Edson]

Last question for you. And this is just speaking to, like, where we are as a country right now. You were hesitant to give your name, and I'm wondering if it's because you are fearful of the government. People are out here protesting, but I feel like there's also a little bit of fear of, like, what the government and what right wing provocateurs might do.

[Sarah]

Absolutely. I believe we have the right to peaceful protest. I believe 100% in our mission today. I also believe there's a lot of bad actors, both in political power, just on, you know, on media out in the world who are looking to target peaceful Americans exercising their vote. We have the speaker of the House calling this a we Hate America rally and accusing us of being, you know, all sorts of hateful causes and people. And I do worry about people here being targeted. And I think that's really why we have to be here, though, is because our civil rights, our right to free speech is under attack and we need to continue to exercise it. And I take a lot of inspiration from the people of Ukraine and the people all over the world who have fought and resisted and risked everything they have to protect their rights, their homes, and their families.

[Al Edson]

Hey, guys, how you doing?

[Unnamed Older Protester]

Hello.

[Al Edson]

All right, so my name is Al. I'm with Mother Jones at Reveal. And so we're just asking people like, you know, I love this shirt. Just asking people, like, what brings them out here?

[Unnamed HBCU Student]

I want to come out here, show support for all of us trying to fight back against the tyrannical government.

[Unnamed Older Protester]

So.

[Al Edson]

Yeah, you have a pin on that. Statehood for D.C. absolutely. I think, you know, here's the thing about statehood for D.C. is that, like, the states that are not close to D.C. i think that most people don't even think about the fact they don't. That DC does not have statehood and basically that you are not equally represented in Congress because of it. Can you speak to that a little bit?

[Unnamed HBCU Student]

So that necessarily constitutes 700,000 people not having rights. And if we think about that in any other context, that's actually literally crazy to, like, really conceptualize. So when we were talking about D.C. statehood and especially addressing people from different states. I'm somebody who's not from D.C. i came here so that I could go to Howard. I went to. I also graduated from American University for my master's degree. And being in D.C. is special to me. And living here all of this time in understanding what statehood means, especially given the occupation and also what's happening in Chicago, what's happening in la, Portland, Memphis, all of these different places that are seeing what it looks like for a government to kind of impose their right or their will upon, like, the people without their consent that like D.C. well, I'm sorry, D.C. is the starting ground for all of that. We were essentially here for them to be able to test that out. So when we're talking about state rights, when we're talking about statehood for D.C. that's why it's important. We are not a full, protected democracy if people in our country are not represented, if not everybody is represented. We are not a full and free democracy at all.

[Al Edson]

So, as a bison, are you concerned with the federal government cutting off funds to HBCUs?

[Unnamed HBCU Student]

I'm incredibly concerned. I think that. I think that it puts a lot of HBCUs in a bind to potentially feel that they can't represent or speak to the issues that are going on in a public way because they don't want to jeopardize their funding, which to a degree is understandable, given everything that's going on.

[Al Edson]

It puts them in a real complicated spot. Right. Because it's like, you know, all of your students are being affected by what's happening. But also, if you want to keep educating those students, you kind of got to shut up.

[Unnamed HBCU Student]

You have to. But what I will say is that there are ways around it. There are ways for students individually to get involved. That's something that I absolutely encourage. If you're on an HBCU campus, you are in a community with organizations around you that do want to get active. So if you find that your institution itself can't do anything, then you yourself can say something. That's something that I practiced when I was at Howard. I was a part of Cascade. That was a lot of where I did my activism and things like that. It really provided me a space for me to speak freely about how I feel about especially LGBTQ rights and all things concerning marginalized groups.

[Al Edson]

Absolutely. Talk to me. What brought you out here?

[Unnamed Civil Rights Attorney]

So I'm black. I'm queer. I'm a civil rights attorney, and I've dedicated my life, both personally and professionally, to the idea that we all are entitled to equal rights under the law. And part of that is being able to express our right to free speech. And if we don't use that right, especially now, we will lose. And 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 and to not. We've talked about organizations and universities capitulating to the administration. It's also important that we don't capitulate to the administration within ourselves. And so the country is not theirs yet. We have not lost democracy yet. And it starts on a personal level of telling yourself that and then showing up and doing what you can.

[Al Edson]

Thank you, guys. You guys are great. Thank you.

[Sarah]

Oh, sure.

[Al Edson]

Let me. Let me ask you a question. Like, I'm just curious, like, in the grand arc of time and what you've seen in this country, does this feel familiar to you?

[Unnamed Older Protester]

Well, it's familiar to the extent that I was born in the 40s and grew up in the 60s. And so certainly in that era, we had a lot of protests that were necessary. So that's. That's similar. But this is. This is different because we don't have. For example, I was alive when Nixon was forced to resign. He was forced to resign because people in his own party who believed in the law, who believed in the Constitution, said to him, you gotta go. Yeah, we don't have that now. And so all of us have to stand up and force all of us, all of us to face the reality of the loss of rights that are happening. And to say that we will not be moved.

[Al Edson]

Yeah. Are you, are you fearful for this country?

[Unnamed Older Protester]

Yes, I am. But it's not just this country. I'm fearful for all countries or all people in the world who look to the United States. I'm not saying that we've been perfect. We've done some bad things, but what I'm saying is our ideals were worth fighting for, and they're still worth fighting for. And for those in this country and in the world who believe that this is a fearful time.

[Al Edson]

Yeah. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us.

[Unnamed Older Protester]

You're welcome.

[Al Edson]

Coming up, a little bit more from the protesters at the Washington, D.C. no Kings rally. Stay with us. Hello, listener. My name is Najeeb Momini, and I am a producer here at Reveal. Reveal is a nonprofit news organization, and we depend on support from our listeners, listeners like you. Donate [e-mail] donate. It helps fund the stories that we tell and helps me feed my cat. So thank you. This is more to the story. I'm Al Lets. And there are organized protests happening all around the country today. Right now, I'm here in Washington, D.C. for the no Kings rally, talking to protesters about why they came out and what their issues are. We are standing right now at the, pretty much the entrance of the protest. They have a stage set up. I couldn't tell you how many people here, but it's a lot. I mean, this place is packed. You've got to, like, you know, move slowly through the crowd to get through. And right where the stage is, over the stage is the building of the National Gallery. And if you look really carefully at the top of the building, there are, it looks like three snipers standing, or at least from my vantage point right now, I can see two rifles, maybe three, and three people moving around on the roof up there. And of course, you know, I'm pretty sure they're government employees, but it is, it's a little bit surreal to be out here with all these people. You know, there are American flags. There are flags that say resist. There are Palestinian flags. There are people with signs saying all sorts of things, families out here. So definitely a peaceful protest. And looming above it all are snipers. So it's a little bit. It's a little surreal. Do you mind if I stick a microphone in your face while you hold the sign? So your sign says, hands off science. Stop the cuts to research and global vaccinations. Trump is making America sicker. Can you talk a little bit about that?

[Blanca]

Yeah. Well, he's firing employees from NOAA and NIH and just other agencies, and also cutting funding for cancer research and other research areas, which really needed just to give tax cuts to his billionaire friends.

[Al Edson]

Yeah, I was about to say, why do you think he's doing it?

[Blanca]

Yeah, just to give cuts and breaks to his billionaire friends and cutting social programs that we need. So, no, that's not okay. And we can't stand for it.

[Al Edson]

Do you think that this protest is going to be impactful in making that type of change, or is it more about, like, just showing up, being seen?

[Blanca]

I mean, I. I hope it doesn't impact. I think still more people need to come out, but there's, like, power in numbers, I think, and we need to reach a certain level so that there's change. So I hope more people come out. I know people is afraid because that's also what they're trying to do, intimidate people. With all his tactics of putting, like, military people on the streets, that's all for intimidation. So he has to do better. We're not going to be just silent with all this happening. Also the mass deportations. Yeah. No, not okay.

[Al Edson]

Can you talk a little bit about that?

[Blanca]

Yeah. They're just targeting people based on the color of their skin, based off if they hear an accent, they don't know if it's an American or not, which, regardless, people are humans. They need to have some dignity. That is not okay. And not just immigrants. He's also targeting students. They can. Just for writing an article, you're targeted, you know, so our freedom of speech is also not just immigrants, but also students. Also law firms that are not doing his bidding, universities that don't want to do his bidding. He's just being. Trying to silence everyone that is dissenting, and that is not okay. We have freedom of speech in this country.

[Al Edson]

Thank you so much. What's your name?

[Blanca]

Blanca.

[Al Edson]

And where are you from?

[Blanca]

Well, I'm Puerto Rican, but I live in Queens, New York.

[Al Edson]

Yeah. Yeah, that's right, man. Where you live?

[Unnamed Older Protester]

Yes, yes.

[Al Edson]

Thank you very much.

[Blanca]

Okay. Thank you. Thank you, guys.

[Al Edson]

So tell me, what brought you out here today?

[Havre]

Well, I'm an American and I feel proud to protest as my right. And I love America, and I feel like these are dangerous times that we're living in. And, yeah, I'm here for my children. I'm here for the future of this country.

[Al Edson]

Are you fearful for your children, for the way this country is headed?

[Havre]

I am, yes, very much so. I'm a proud immigrant. You know, I teach them about world cultures. I've told them about how despots and dictators are overseas and seeing them, like, here, you know, in their own home, because we literally live in D.C. in their literal backyard. It's really. These are very dark times, and I hope that, you know, the dark times pass.

[Al Edson]

Being an immigrant, I mean, it must feel. And I think I, like, you know, definitely can relate being a black man in America, but definitely, like, it feels like we're in a time where anybody who is not a white male definitely feels like you have a little bit of a target on your back.

[Havre]

Absolutely, yes. Being a Muslim immigrant, that target is especially bigger. You know, my name is very different, so even though my appearance may look different, my name is different. So, yes, I do feel like that it's a big target, especially being a person of color in this day and age.

[Al Edson]

Thank you very much. Would you mind just giving me your first name?

[Unnamed Older Protester]

Sure.

[Havre]

It's Havre.

[Al Edson]

And you're from D.C. d.C. Yep.

[Unnamed HBCU Student]

Yep.

[Al Edson]

So your sign says Free Palestine.

[Isabel]

Free D.C. free us all.

[Al Edson]

Yes, yes, yes. Please talk to me a little bit about. Well, a. You've been obviously following the situation in Palestine. Yeah. Tell me, like, how do you feel this administration has been handling it?

[Isabel]

I mean, not well, to put it simply. I think that there's, like, a blatant disregard of some of, like, the greatest failures of humanity and humankind and being able to treat one another with respect and not commit genocides, and I think that's a problem.

[Al Edson]

Before the election, did you ever imagine we would be in this place?

[Isabel]

Yes and no. I don't think I would have hoped that it would have been as, like. As scary as it is now. But I think, unfortunately, it's like, a continuation of trends of, like, overall leadership in the country where. Sorry, I'm probably not being as eloquent as I could be about this, but where, like, this is consistent bad policy throughout different administrations in this country that have gotten to this place of complacency and allowing something as bad as what's happening in Gaza to happen.

[Al Edson]

Where do you think all this goes? I mean, I think that, like, ultimately protesting is an act of hope.

[Isabel]

Yeah.

[Al Edson]

But if I'm reading the tea leaves.

[Unnamed HBCU Student]

I don't have a whole lot of.

[Al Edson]

Hope that things will change.

[Isabel]

Yeah, I mean, it's just an interesting time because there's been a lot of discourse right now about, like, the point of no kings. I've seen some people on the Internet kind of adamantly against these kinds of rallies as not having clear feedback or Clear policy points or next steps coming out of it. But I think with this particular administration where the ego is so outsized, these kinds of demonstrations are still productive in a sense that they, I think, outsize and outpace the rallies that we see in favor of a Donald Trump.

[Sarah]

Right.

[Isabel]

And so even if there's a lot of, like, we've got people from all different walks of life, even, like, disagreeing perspectives at times here present at the rally, but I think it's about the showing the force in terms of numbers that are not okay with what's happening right now. And so I think it's still important to do that even if we're not walking away with clear demands being met.

[Al Edson]

I think a lot about, like, you know, obviously, like, people compare where we are to what happened in. In Germany.

[Havre]

Yeah.

[Al Edson]

As it moved forward into Nazism.

[Isabel]

Yeah.

[Al Edson]

And. And, you know, I think there are definitely some things that compare very well and other things that don't.

[Isabel]

I was just in a Lyft ride last night actually coming back from the airport, and I was kind of, you know, making the point that a lot of the ingredients that we see, and not only authoritarian Germany during World War II and authoritarian Italy during the Spanish Civil War, all this, like, these ingredients that were happening then are happening now. And the Lyft driver was like, no, no, I'm not worried. It's not like that. But I think, you know, a common narrative that we hear is like, how could anybody have known about what was happening in 1945 and not been absolutely outrage? And it's like, no, people get complacent.

[Al Edson]

You know, it is a very weird thing in the sense that, like, people are complacent, but they're also scared. They also think that, like, if I kind of keep my mouth shut, this will not affect me.

[Isabel]

Yeah.

[Al Edson]

And it always does.

[Isabel]

It's hard. And I, like, I'll say this as someone who has also been scared in the past of coming to different rallies. Like, I think this in some senses is very affirming because you see people, like, you see people with their children. You're seeing people walking with canes at these, like, the Snow Kings rally in particular. And I think that is hopefully help people see that. Like, no, this is a space for everyone to feel safe and comfortable. But then at the same time, like, you look over on that rooftop over there, and they've got snipers.

[Al Edson]

Yeah. That sniper thing is a little weird. It's a little weird. Do you mind giving us your. Your name and where you're from?

[Unnamed Older Protester]

Yeah.

[Isabel]

So I am originally from Houston, Texas, and my first name is Isabel.

[Al Edson]

Isabelle, thank you so much for talking to me. No more 2020.

[Havre]

In this dangerous moment in American history.

[Al Edson]

Our message is exactly the same. No President Trump. We don't want you or any other king to rule us. We just got done talking to protesters from the no Kings rally in Washington, D.C. as a reminder, we are listening, supported. That means listeners like you. Yeah, you. You can help us thrive by making a gift today. Just go to revealnews.org gift again, that's revealnews.org gift and yes, aren't you impressed that I remember to say all that here at a rally? This episode was produced by Josh sanburn and Kara McGurk. Allison. Brett Meyers edited the show. Special thanks to Claire Conger for coming out and having my back. Theme music and engineering helped by Fernando, my man, yo Aruda. And Jay Breezy. Mr. Jim Briggs. I'm Al Edson and you know the routine. Let's do this again next week. I'll see you there. This is more to the story.

[Unnamed Civil Rights Attorney]

From prx.