With thousands of Americans showing up in 1,500 cities for “No Kings” protests, I wanted to know what motivated people.

Friends and associates say Vance Boelter, the man officials say was apprehended Sunday night in the assassination of a state lawmaker, was mild-mannered and did not appear to be fixated on politics.

Six of the 11 freshmen legislators took time to sit down for interviews with the Alaska Beacon to reflect on the session.