Parents, healthcare workers, teachers, teenagers and people protesting the current government and their policies came out to march in downtown Redwood City.
On Oct. 18, thousands of participants showed up to protest during the ‘No Kings’ protest in Redwood City. Honks filled Jefferson Avenue in support of the cause, and people displayed their signs and costumes to protest current issues that focus on Trump’s administration. Millions of people attended the peaceful protest across the nation along with support in other countries as well. Each supporter of the cause showed up on Saturday to protest due to differing reasons. On account of personal reasons, some protesters were hesitant to share some personal information, so some interviewees are referred to by their first names only or initials.
“I see a lot of issues in healthcare regarding patients not getting the care that they deserve, and also insurance issues and how complicated our healthcare system is,” nurse and protester Elizabeth Lee said. “I feel like there needs to be a lot better reforms and everyone being able to have health care.”
A combination of varying issues including healthcare rights, cuts to education funding, lack of research funding, LGBTQ+ rights, and many more prompted people to speak out during the protest. One of the more focused issues that arose portrayed through signs and people’s messages was the unethical deployment of I.C.E. agents on members of the community.
“Most recent and most touching [to] me is immigration,” San Jose State University student and protester Raven said. “My boyfriend is an immigrant here. His family [are immigrants] here too…Trump deploying I.C.E. everywhere with no search warrant, inflicting violence…It’s pressuring us and our citizens to really stand up for our people.”
The Oct. 18 protest was the second ‘No Kings’ protest of the year. There have also been various other protests in Redwood City this past year. Although many of the larger protests shared a common goal of standing up to Trump’s administration, different protesters had different hopes for what they hoped the movement would accomplish.
“What I would love to see is for Trump and his cabinet to be removed,” protestor B.L. said. “I think they’re very dangerous for the country. And it’s not just Trump, it’s Trump and a bunch of enablers.”
Just getting recognition can be a large step for change to happen. Protesting has been historically proven to be effective for change when done correctly.
“A huge benefit of protest is finding community and finding other groups that you can become involved in to make real, meaningful change,” teacher and protester Emily S said. “And I hope that the world and our country sees this and takes this seriously.”
Protesting and getting a large group of people together who share similar ideas creates a larger movement where people start standing up and understanding the problem on a large scale. The ‘No Kings’ protest was on a large scale with thousands of protests in large cities such as New York City, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and many more.
“It could be [effective] in multiple different ways, like people feeling seen, or people realizing that a lot of [other] people are really unhappy people feeling like they can make a difference,” Lee said. “Hopefully we’ll get that change in the laws and the policies.”
The hope for getting rid of “kings” in our government is a big issue which is focused on throughout the protest. In this protest “kings” refers to Trump and his administration’s monarch-like rule which is seen as corrupt.
“[I want] better leaders, maybe for our current one to actually care about the people of this country, and not only be concerned for the 1% elites,” Raven said. “[Also] for [Trump] to actually support women’s rights and immigrant rights.”
The No Kings organization got its name with the core idea of America having no kings and highlighting that the power belongs to the people.
“In 1776, we were under the rule of King George, who was tyrannical and kept enacting higher and higher taxes and higher and higher means of putting down rebellions, and so they overthrew the government,” protestor Scott Hardman said. “I hope it doesn’t come to that now.”
Raven, as a young person herself, shares advice to other younger people, specifically high schoolers about how they can use their voice to speak out about problems and stay informed. To keep up with what ‘No Kings’ is doing next, there is a call on Oct. 21 to discuss what happens next.
“Tune in to current events and what’s going on in the world, regardless if you’re in your own little bubble or not, these things are happening,” Raven said. “Awareness is number one. Whether you choose to use your voice or your platforms, is up to you, but at least be aware.”
