Blares and beeps from honking cars filled the air as thousands of protesters marched two miles from Hillsdale Mall to Central Park on Saturday, Oct. 18, in San Mateo. This event was part of grassroots organization Indivisible’s No Kings 2 protest — a nationwide movement involving over 7 million participants advocating against President Donald Trump and his administration. To cap off the event, Congressman Kevin Mullin delivered a speech expressing the importance of protesting for democracy.

Junior Agata Toporova, a student at Hillsdale High School, said attending this protest was her way of paving the path for future generations. According to Toporova, protesting can be intimidating, but she said it’s an important way to unite people.  

“I’m a huge supporter. We need to protect our children, and I want to create a better future for the future generation, and I know at the rate we’re going at right now, that’s not going to happen,” Toporova said. 

Other participants shared similar motivations. The first anonymous source* said they must protest to provide more opportunities for their children. 

“I have kids, and it feels important to me that they have a country that grants them opportunities,” the first anonymous source said. “I want everyone to have opportunities, to live in safety, to live in community.”

The second anonymous source**, a veteran, said participating in this protest was especially meaningful because of the oath they took to protect the Constitution. 

“I’m a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, so that oath to protect the Constitution goes really deep,” the second anonymous source said. “I’m also disabled, so this is one of the things that I can do to really show up to make sure that my voice is heard.” 

Meanwhile, the third anonymous source*** said he joined the protest because of concern about the rise of negative ideologies, and the protest’s impact will be reflected in the 2026 midterm elections. 

“I love my country, and I can’t stand for it to go this way,” the third anonymous source said. “Years ago, I was an Eagle Scout. Actually, you’re an Eagle Scout for life. My father served in the military. My grandmother served in the military. My great uncle served in the military, and it was to fight Nazis, and it’s just absurd that so many Americans have forgotten something as basic as Nazis are bad.” 

Burlingame’s former drama teacher, Cynthia Skelton, said she attended the protest because she believes the government is not working in the best interest of the people. 

“What didn’t bring me out for this: the fact that our government is not working for the people, that [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] ICE is putting people in custody for no reason,” Skelton said with a sarcastic tone. “They are collecting people of color at random, that Republicans don’t want to bargain because they want to do away with health care for all, and that Trump is just lining people up to do his bidding.”

“I feel like sometimes the other gatherings [were] rather just the retirees, and this seems to pull out a much larger group of people riding the bus and just showing up,” the first anonymous source said

Despite the protest’s serious message, Skelton said people remained peaceful and lighthearted.

 “I’ve seen nothing but kindness here today. Kids are marching. Grandparents are marching, parents,” Skelton said, “It’s such a diverse section, there’s blow-up animals marching today. It’s such a light, fun, supportive environment for such a serious cause.”

*This first source was granted anonymity because of emotional safety concerns.

**This second source was granted anonymity because of emotional and legal safety concerns.

***This third source was granted anonymity because of emotional and legal safety concerns. For more information, read through the B’s anonymous policy.