 The first time I participated in a protest was in April 2019. That protest was very peaceful. I met Jason, now 24, in a crowded downtown area, and we ducked into a small music studio so he could talk more freely. He didn't want NPR using his full name, though, because he's worried his comments could get him in trouble with the authorities. As the protests escalated through the summer, his life was changing. Jason became more involved in student leadership. He organized and spoke up.