ABC News visited Wichita as part of its “Listening to America” series. The tour seeks to share how Americans feel about the country’s direction.
The national news organization visited the city, nicknamed the Emerald City, to gather insight in response to President Trump’s speech on Feb. 28. Producers and reporters visited with Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell and a number of residents in advance of the speech.
“We’re the kind of city that when you walk by someone, a total stranger, they’re going to say ‘Hi,’ they’re going to wave,” Longwell said. “We’re that typical Midwestern city.”
Local restaurant owner Schane Gross said members of the Wichita community are responding to the Trump presidency.
“There are people who have never been involved with politics before that are stepping up and running for office or supporting people that are running for office that I’ve never seen before,” she said.
Longwell said activists are rallying since Trump’s election.
“We’ve had the friendly protest,” he said. “We’ve had some marches here, but a different ton to them. I don’t know that it’s the same tone of the angriness you see in other places.”
The national news organization conducted focus group interviews during Trump’s speech to the joint session of Congress. Focus group members convened at Wichita State University to watch and respond to the President.
