In April, when Duke students staged a weeklong sit-in demanding the resignation of university vice president Tallman Trask over allegations of racism, Durham city council member Jillian Johnson could often be found hanging out on the lawn outside the Allen Building, conferring with the organizers, speaking to the media, and generally serving as an advisor to the cause. She was likewise vocal at protests over federal efforts to deport undocumented teenagers in Durham and allegations of abuse at the Durham County Detention Center. If the issue is civil rights and a demonstration is planned, it’s more than likely you’ll find Johnson in the crowd, maybe holding a sign, maybe speaking into a microphone. True, she’s only six months into her term on the council, but nobody can say public service has changed her approach to the political process.