LESLIE CAGAN
61; Elmhurst, Queens

Then: Student Now: National coordinator for United for Peace & Justice

What is your most striking memory of protesting in the ’60s?
I went to the Students for a Democratic Society’s first national antiwar march in 1965. There were about 25,000 people and I remember being very moved. Then, that was a tremendous turnout.

What did the protests achieve?
They helped awaken people around the country to the problem in Vietnam. People could actually see an opposition voice being raised, and that made people think, Well, how do I feel about this war?

How does youth activism compare today?
Back then was a moment in this country’s history in which everything was being questioned. Now the social and cultural climate is very different and activism is not a new thing.