Nathalia Peralta D., Staff Writer 

Five million demonstrators attended the first “No Kings” protests on June 14, 2025, and almost seven million showed up to the second round of rallies on Oct. 18, 2025. Crowds gathered in cities across the United States, as well as overseas, to protest President Donald Trump’s administration and call for the defense of First Amendment rights. Many protesters from Los Angeles to New York as well as Chicago, Washington D.C. and Austin, Texas, flooded the streets chanting, marching and waving homemade signs that proclaimed “We want all of the government to work” and “Make America Good Again.” 

At the protests, speeches and music blared, some even donned Halloween costumes in the cross-country rallies that demanded protection of all Constitutional Rights, many claiming they are under attack by the Trump administration. Politicians in support encouraged the rallies and spoke up, telling people to keep fighting for democracy.  Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Chris Murphy of Connecticut were a few notable politicians speaking out. Even Bill Nye, the beloved children’s show host, commented, “They do not promote the progress of science. They suppress it, to the detriment of our health, well-being, and international competitiveness,” he said. “It is a formula for failure.” 

Many of the fired U.S. Agency for International Development workers also joined the No Kings Protest at the capital, including Amanda Nature. Nature, 41, of Washington told NBC News, “The common adage is that 50% of the country voted for this. But 50% of the country didn’t vote for a government shutdown and the dismantlement of the government and services that people rely on.”

High-profile clashes between residents and federal immigration authorities in Chicago have unfolded in recent weeks. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker shared a defiant speech. He called out Trump and Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller for “coming for the immigrants, and for Black and brown people, and for LGBTQ people and for their political opponents.” 

“History will judge us by where we choose to stand right now, today. Future generations will ask: ‘What did we do when fellow human beings faced persecution? When our rights were being abridged? When our Constitution was under attack?” Pritzker asked. “They’ll want to know whether we stood up or we stayed silent.” 

Many people are speaking up. There are plenty of people willing to stand up, defy and go against their government because they believe in freedom. Many people believe that if we all stay silent, we are giving in to a system of power that will only benefit the wealthy, leaving us all to fend for ourselves. That is not what America is, and we shouldn’t let it get to that point. 

This is just the beginning and a preview of what is to come in the following months. People are fed up, scared and unsure of what this government has for them, but even so, they stand front and center to protect their rights and freedoms before it’s too late. Senator Elizabeth Warren addressed thousands at the Boston Common, stating, “Standing up to a wannabe dictator? That is patriotism. Peacefully protesting to protect our democracy? That is patriotism!” While many protests have been peaceful and without incident, some leaders, including those in Texas, have said they would mobilize the National Guard to monitor for potential unrest. 

Sean Musial, Editor 

A good portion of people in the world consider writing a dying artform and a difficult field to get into when compared to other occupations. Whether it’s because of AI or overly saturated forms of content, writing is hard for any newcomer to gain mass recognition. Journalists, authors and screenwriters can spend years pouring their hearts and souls into something they’re passionate about to their very core with no results to back it up. The art of writing is something I will strive to improve day by day, until one day the rest of the world can eventually understand the way I shape the artform into my own worlds and stories. 

It’s a lonely process that involves picking apart ideas in your head to properly convey to the reader what you’re trying to say. Journalists take factual evidence they gather through interviews, research and fact-checking to tell the truth. Authors can take a couple of weeks or even years writing their book depending on the length, genre, scheduling and personal conflicts. Screenwriting, similar to authors, is a delicate process that can also take days to even years in this form to complete. 

Each of the three is a daunting task. It’s an accumulation of patience, persistence, poignancy and proofreading until you are comfortable with the final product. That’s part of the problem that AI has been creating. With this newly formed technology that is still advancing, it can practically minimize the hard work of an individual that takes weeks to complete and instead do it in seconds depending on the prompt you give it. The algorithm spits out a robotic word-for-word document on what you wanted with no emotional depth or human touch to it— yet people eat it up and pass it off as their own work. This is killing not only careers, but it’s jeopardizing creativity. Thoughts and words are coming from a robot, not people. 

Writing is something that has been engraved in me since I was a kid. The art that comes with telling a story, whether it’s movies or books, is something I am extremely passionate about. It started with me spending hours in my room studying what it means to convey a message to a reader. I still find random notebooks lying around my room and house filled with story concepts and cartoonish characters that I would draw. 

As I got older and started to understand where this was coming from, it became a more structured process, one that was less sporadic. The story concepts started to flow easier with more efficient planning. I planned throughout most of high school the overall ideas I wanted to convey out into the world. My friends would look over my shoulder curiously trying to figure out what I was doing. I explained it to them the best I could: I want to write books and movies for a living. When senior year came around, I got most primary concepts out of the way. I began to write even more.

I started my first book and my first pilot episode for a different story (which I later decided to turn into a book rather than a TV show). The things I write about have a wide range. The genres I tackle are as follows: coming-of-age, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, satire, dark comedy, war, historical fiction, etc. A goal of mine is to try and tackle all types by putting my own Northeast Philly/Sean Musial twang into it. 

As I’m getting older and still have this dream, continuing to try to get there, it’s difficult. I ask myself all the time, “Do I self-publish or keep on trying to get in touch with major publishing companies?” For now, I’m still aiming to get my work published by a professional publisher. I’ve been focusing on school lately but for the next couple of months, I’m going to get back in the race to get in touch with these companies. I continue to write for now, as I am starting three new books since I finished the manuscript of my first book. 

I’m an ambitious and optimistic guy. I know if it doesn’t work for me in the next couple of years, or even a decade, I’ll continue to pursue it. “Obsession beats talents” is something I heard a long time ago. You might be pretty good at something, but you’re not the best at it; yet, if I am as “obsessed” with writing as I was when I was a kid, that obsession could be a defining factor that truly gets me there some day. 

If you think writing is for you, in any type of field, go for it. Don’t listen to what others might have to say about it. Yes, there are definitely some road blocks in the way, but that should not stop the pursuit. Take me for example: I write every single day and will continue to do so. Write what you want to write about. Who knows, maybe one day the world will have the pleasure of seeing your work out there.

Welcome to La Salle On Record, a new five-part series from WEXP Student Radio where senior Kyla Renegar sits down with members of the La Salle community to hear their stories, each focused on one of the five Lasallian values. The goal of this series is to delve into La Salle’s history, its mission, and learn more about what it really means to be Lasallian. In episode 1, Kyla had the chance to chat with Father Frank Berna about what it means to teach, preach, and live in the presence of God. Follow along with this series to hear more wisdom and hidden stories from the Lasallian community!

Sam Klein, Editor

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution clearly outlines that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…” Over time, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has enacted various bylaws that prohibit speech in cases of obscenity, indecency and profanity in an attempt to protect the American people. Yet, one thing has always been certain since the Bill of Rights was officially ratified in 1791: the American people have a fundamental right to free speech. 

In an era of vastly polarized political parties, the allowance of free speech has only further divided the American people, whose diverse opinions run rampant on the Internet, social media sites and by word of mouth. Still, our ability to voice our opinions is what makes democracy stand strong, allowing for a united front even if our opinions are not uniform. However, our democracy is as strong as it is fragile; our confidence in our autonomy is slowly deteriorating, one act of government censorship at a time. 

Many journalists and media personalities are growing fearful of censorship following ABC’s decision to remove Jimmy Kimmel’s show off the air after his comments regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On Sept. 15, Kimmel discussed how divisive the country is while simultaneously criticizing Trump for deepening the divide, failing to release the Epstein files and ultimately targeting MAGA’s reaction to Kirk’s death.

Not only did Kimmel criticize MAGA’s response, but Trump’s minimal reaction to Kirk’s death as well. “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of somebody called a friend,” Kimmel said. “This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”

Kimmel’s mention of Kirk’s murder sparked immediate controversy. Chair of the FCC Brendan Carr threatened to take action against ABC, and therefore Disney, if they did not act quickly. Succumbing to the pressure, ABC claimed Kimmel’s show would be taken off the air indefinitely. 

Yet a week later, ABC brought the show back.

In his opening monologue following the return of the show on Sept. 23, Kimmel said while choking back tears, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution and it isn’t, ever.” 

Kimmel then expressed his sympathy for Erica Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, and explained how her forgiveness of her late husband’s killer touched him deeply. Yet, in light of the events, Kimmel could not help but recognize the democratic importance of his censorship to the broader issue of regulating free speech. 

Kimmel mentions how in other foreign countries, namely Russia and the Middle East, talk show hosts would get thrown in jail, or potentially worse, for criticizing people in a position of power, which is why he considers himself lucky. Yet, Kimmel acknowledges that within our democratic system, any censorship of comedians by our government is simply “anti-American.” 

“[They] tried to coerce our affiliates who run our show in the cities you live in to take my show off the air. That’s not legal; that’s not American,” Kimmel said.

Trump himself was outraged about the return of Kimmel’s show, immediately taking his response to Truth Social by writing, “Why would they [ABC] want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive DEMOCRATIC GARBAGE.” 

ABC has not publicly responded to Trump’s post, yet as CNN states, it remains clear that the president cannot stand to be criticized night after night. 

Kimmel outlined the process of learning his show was being taken off the air while featured on fellow comedian Stephen Cobert’s talk show, The Late Show. Also an avid criticizer of Trump, Colbert is being taken off the air by CBS beginning in May of 2026 for “purely financial reasons,” yet fans are skeptical because the decision came after criticism of Trump and the show’s parent company, Paramount Global. 

The technicalities of which talk shows will continue to air are irrelevant, for the importance of censoring them at all remains the focus of many journalists who believe our democracy is threatened. Kimmel’s remarks on his Sept. 15 show, while potentially controversial in nature, did not break any FCC guidelines that would give the government the ability to restrict his speech. The issue then wasn’t the legality of Kimmel’s words, rather the dislike of conservative higher ups, like Carr and Trump, to be nationally criticized, furthermore pressuring corporations like ABC to act. 

Although Kimmel remains on the air, the question stands: How can we “Make America Great Again” if our government does not believe in upholding the principles established in our Constitution, and perhaps more importantly– What does government censorship mean for the future of our democracy?

Maya Martin, Editor

This past June, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to San Diego for a Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law (PPEL) Summer School. The program was through the University of Arizona’s Center for the Philosophy of Freedom, and took place on campus at the University of San Diego.

I was accompanied on the program by my fellow La Salle students, Allie Ringsdorf, Lawrence Manny, Gabby Fletcher and Kenny Lynch. We gathered for a four-day-long session with teachings from renowned professors, professionals and philosophers from across the country. The program graciously covered the cost of housing, food and the school itself.

The purpose of the summer school was to explore foundational and contemporary questions about society, exchange and governance. Presenters shared their work and topics with us throughout the week on a variety of interdisciplinary issues. Two of my favorite presentations were “International Jurisdictions, Water, and the Internet” and “Schadenfreude Representation.”

The presentations given were extremely insightful and thought-provoking. Although we sat through about four presentations a day, each kept students engaged.

Additionally, during the program, students broke into groups of five and researched, organized and worked to present a project called the “Big Question Project.” The goal of this project was for groups to think of a burning question related to PPEL and reflect on its importance or significance.

My group won third place for our presentation on the question “How can privatized prisons be justified as a form of punishment?” The presentation served to speak about the history of private prisons and its interpretation through philosophical, political, economic and legal lenses.

Right before attending the summer school, local issues arose regarding Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center, in Newark, NJ. Being from New Jersey, these issues deeply affected my community and piqued my interest, so we stemmed the topic from there.

During our presentation, we talked about major issues occurring in private prisons, including discrimination by nationality, exploitation, cruel and unusual punishment, and non-disclosure issues.

Researching this topic was very interesting and opened my eyes to much more than I knew about private prisons. We learned through our research that, on average, inmates in privatized prisons make much less than inmates in public prisons. Additionally, while most public prisons offer free basic necessities, private prisons typically charge these items at an inflated cost.

Additional research also led us to the discovery of which companies support GeoGroup and CoreCiviC, the monopolies owning and profiting off of private prisons. Brands that many people know and love, including Nike, Starbucks, Microsoft and Bank of America all donated money to these companies.

The program gave us the opportunity to deep-dive into a topic of our choosing and allowed us to broaden our knowledge and analytical skills. Researching and creating this project also gave me a greater craving for justice.

I highly encourage any students who are interested to apply for the program and attend.

It is held annually in June and is open to all undergraduate students, including students who have just graduated from their senior year.

Lucas Alven, Staff writer

When I started my college studies in communication, I was convinced that the only relevant skill I would get out of it is knowing how to operate a camera. I was very wrong about this. There was a lot about my field that I needed to learn.

This may surprise you, but communication is not some easy major designed to pass students. The classes teach valuable skills that apply to every profession.

If you are looking for an advantage over the competition during your job hunt, communication skills make for a great addition. Here are my four surefire communication skills that employers will love to see on your resume.

1. Know your audience

Before I communicate anything, the first thing I like to do is think, “Who is my audience, what am I trying to say and how can I best convey my message to them?” From there, I fill in the blanks and communicate what I think is best.

Some of you might read this and think, “This is common sense!” However, many people overlook this important detail. Communicating with specific messages allows people to better understand what is said and how they should respond.

For example: You ask your boss for a raise. In this case, you would not just walk into the boss’s office and ask for a raise. Instead, you would respectfully set up a meeting where you would explain how you are deserving of a raise for the extra hours you spent in the office this year.

2. Know your communication skills

No, you do not have stress and become a perfectionist about every little thing you say. However, it is important to remember that everything is communication.

From the clothes you wear, to making hand gestures, everything communicates something. By understanding this idea, you can apply it to various workforce situations.

For example: You have to give a presentation to a large audience. To leave a good impression, you can choose a less distracting outfit to wear and present yourself with confident body language by using non-verbal hand gestures.

3. Know your team

I am not a huge fan of working on group projects, but they are an essential part of the workforce. Knowing how to work in group settings will allow you to successfully collaborate with your co-workers on projects. Effective group communication can be done by giving people the opportunity to share their ideas and criticisms to improve the work.

The most successful projects I have worked on were the ones where communication was open and ongoing, which is not surprising considering that there is a strong correlation between open workplace communication and better results from employees.

For example: You have a large project due in a month. While everyone is likely working on separate sections of the project, it is still important to come together for feedback. Doing this prevents issues from occurring, promotes new ideas and builds connection among a group.

4. Know the importance of listening

Again, some of you might read this and think, “This is common sense!” However, to the surprise of many, there is a huge difference between hearing and listening.

Active listening is when you fully focus on the person communicating, showing them that you fully understand what they are saying. Applying this skill to your career shows employers that you understand and care about the message that they are conveying.

For example: Your manager is assigning you a project to do. In this case, you could listen to your manager on and off, making sure you hear the essential parts that relate to what you have to do. However, it is better if you fully listen, nod your head and ask questions for clarity to make sure your manager knows that you understand.

Know what to do next?

Now that you know these skills, why not learn even more valuable communication skills? La Salle University’s Communication Department offers classes that blend the foundations of communication with concentrations that are relevant to your field.

Will you add any of these skills to your professional toolbelt? Are there any more skills that I forgot to mention? Let me know below in the comments!