Joan Baez politics 031916

Folk singer Joan Baez, center, shared her views on two of the 2016 presidential hopefuls in an interview with AL.com. She expressed support for Bernie Sanders, right, and an aversion to Donald Trump, left. (AP photos, left and right; Marina Chavez photo, center)

Joan Baez didn't mince words.

In an interview with AL.com, the iconic folk singer -- a liberal activist and longtime advocate for social justice -- blasted Donald Trump, his followers and his presidential campaign.

"I think there isn't anybody, any intelligent person, who isn't shocked and surprised and appalled," Baez said, when asked for her views on this election year. "Why people are willing to listen to a demagogue with all the vile stuff going on around him ... these troglodytes ... that's the most frightening thing to me."

She said Trump's extreme ideas on topics such as immigration -- his vow, for example, to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border -- have turned his political gatherings into "Hitler rallies" fueled by anger, ignorance and fear.

"It's a particularly stingy-minded attitude toward immigrants and refugees, people who want to come into this country, illegally or otherwise," said Baez, the daughter of a Mexican-born physicist who moved to the United States during his childhood.

"We have so much," she said. "Generosity is the preferred approach. We need to think more in terms of building bridges."

It's no surprise that Baez, 75, regards the Republican front-runner with frank dismay.

Her history as a protest singer and social activist dates back to the 1960s. Baez has raised her voice in song and speech, drawing awareness to issues such as racism, poverty, gay rights and environmental protection.

She participated in the Selma-to-Montgomery march for voting rights in 1965, and performed at a "Stars for Freedom" rally with Pete Seeger, Harry Belafonte, Tony Bennett and more. Baez also did a tour of black colleges in 1963, including Miles College in Fairfield, to reach audiences who were unable to attend her shows because of segregation.

She's been an influential member of Amnesty International since the 1970s, and an advocate for peace and nonviolence. Baez protested the Vietnam War, wrote a song to condemn the massacre in China's Tiananmen Square and released an album sung entirely in Spanish, to express solidarity with people oppressed in Chile.

Today, although she usually shuns party politics, Baez said she's throwing her support to a specific Democratic hopeful. She likes his liberal stance, his progressive approach and his outspoken quest for political change.

"I seldom do this, but I'm really casting my lot with Bernie Sanders," Baez said. "I also think young people are supporting him. Young people are not paying attention to what goes on in the media, but kids are donating to his campaign once a month or once a week."

Baez, reached by telephone before a March 19 concert at UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center in Birmingham, was quick to share her thoughts but said she doesn't engage in major Trump-bashing on stage.

"Mostly I make some jokes about it," Baez said, "because you can't do much more than that."

She took a similar approach during a 2006 show in Birmingham, offering a few pointed quips about then-President George W. Bush. Although she remains no fan of the Republicans, Baez said it's been interesting to watch party leaders opposed to Trump as they attempt to derail his candidacy.

"Right now, it's just kind of a relief to see they are in a terrible bind," Baez said. "I have to sort of enjoy it, after 50 years of think tanks -- things Republicans have been doing for decades -- they're sort of as flummoxed as we are."

If Trump secures the Republican nomination, could Sanders beat him in the November election? "That depends on how many intelligent people we have in this country," Baez said.

Baez emphasized, however, that her faith in the office of president has diminished over the years, and she doubts that even a well-meaning Democrat would be able to "lead a movement" and spur significant change. She pointed to President Barack Obama as an example.

In 2008, Baez made her first-ever endorsement for the U.S. presidency, calling Obama the country's best hope to "navigate the contaminated waters of Washington, lift up the poor, and appeal to the rich to share their wealth." But his tenure in the Oval Office has proved disappointing, she said.

"Some amazing stuff happened when Obama was running," Baez said. "His charisma, his intelligence ... Then he suffered some seismic thing. By being so careful, by being so patient, he was not able to do that much."

Although she realizes Sanders could end up in the same situation -- hampered by parties, politics and the realities of life at the White House -- Baez said he offers a refreshing antidote to politics as usual.

"I like that he's a grumpy old Jewish guy with no hair," Baez said. "I like something about his attitude, that he's not careful. ... If Hillary (Clinton) is nominated, I will vote for her. She's a friend. But I think Sanders speaks to the human condition."