Sidney On, a Newton High School Student, gave the following Speech at No Kings 3, March 28, 2026, in Newton Centre.
On January 30th, 2026, I participated in the walkout amongst many of my peers. I remember marching with my friends amongst this large crowd. I saw signs reading “Ice out” and from distance I could see such similar, “No Thrones in the White House” “No one is illegal on stolen land” Everyone in that crowd had skipped their classes, my friends told me they even skipped their important advanced level classes just to be there, determined to say something, to make a statement. I looked at the crowd around me on that day, and I saw a community that wanted to protect themselves and each other by staying together to say something together.
We walked out because the people in power were not listening to us. The choices those men make in Washington directly affect all of us, our future, and that we must care if we seek a life with peace after school. Teenagers, especially now, we have to be smart, we have to pay attention to what is currently going on right now because the people running this world might burn it down before we even get a chance to lead it ourselves.
Why does it have to be like this? Why are my classmates and I more worried if our president is taking our rights away than the chemistry test next week? I don’t want my classmates worrying about passing our SAT’s, while also worrying how ICE could infiltrate our schools and neighborhoods any moment. My community is being taken away solely with the voice of hate. But I want my community back, I want my community to be heard, and I’m tired of our voice being taken away. I wanna hear it again. And I wanna hear the voices of those kids; those kids in this crowd right now and across our nation who all feel trapped.
I know as a teenager, you’re always going to feel stuck, and insecure, and hesitant like your words aren’t valid. It creates an urge to rebel or shout so loud the whole world listens. To make it even worse it sometimes feels as if there isn’t even a crowd, nor a person to listen to those cries. And sometimes the worth of your words get diminished, and a light gets dimmer. I see kids my age in this crowd right now. And I know it seems like nobody’s listening. But you’re here today, because you have something important to say, and there is always gonna be someone to hear you. I encourage you, go to your local groups, your school’s clubs or organizations because no matter what you may think, you have something good to say. I was lucky enough to be given an opportunity like this, speaking to so many of you.
There is a certain light that I see amongst many of my peers, they all want to say something, but they are too scared. To the parents of those kids, we need to create spaces where they don’t feel controlled, or in need to behave. They don’t need discipline, they need freedom. Talk to your kids because without a doubt I know they have something good to say. It is the burden of that stress of that higher power above you that holds you back. I am very sure all of you here, in our current climate, that sounds familiar. If we are to make change, we start by understanding, instead of underestimating.
We must be reminded that it is not violence, it is not anger, nor fear that brings us together, but rather community, then, we are confident, hopeful, unstoppable and fearless with whatever battle we may face. It is with the love we have for this world that we must bring it to the table for all of us to share, because it defeats the hunger of hate.
I thank you all, I wish you all luck and love. Thank you.
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