No King Protests: Here’s a look at how young people are making an impact following Bay Area, nationwide rallies

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — From the streets to the polls and potential policy change, Saturday’s “No Kings” protests rang out across the Bay Area.

“We have seen in the past that sustained social movement does generate change. It doesn’t work every time. It’s really hard. It takes a long time,” said Melissa Micheleson, a political science professor and Dean of Arts and Sciences at Menlo College.

She says mass movements like the nationwide action against the Trump Administration have the power to galvanize people beyond the day of protest.

“So part of it can be okay we’ve protested, but we’re not done. And now you gotta you know, register to vote. Now you got to vote. Now you got to contact your members of Congress, whatever it is that in your state or city that folks want you to do, maybe you’re going to take more action,” she said, noting a lot of the people taking action she says are younger.

“It’s often young people who are doing these protests. They are the ones who have the energy, have the time, have the optimism that this is going to make something happen,” Professor Micheleson said.

RELATED: ‘No Kings’: Bay Area protests against Trump administration, joining nationwide movement

On San Francisco’s Market Street, amid the tens of thousands protesting, that optimism rang true.

“I’ve already done this multiple times. This isn’t my first protest I’ve been,” said Pittsburg resident, Evelyn Zarete.

Live No Kings protest updates: Massive crowds march, rally throughout Bay Area

“I feel like it can involve younger people because. I am 19 and my parents were like, ‘oh, as soon as you turn 18, the world’s going to change around you.’ So, I have to actually pay attention to what’s happening in the world right now,” said Francisco Paniagua, an Alameda resident.

Meanwhile Michelson says there’s a key question when it comes to the impacts of protests and young people.

“Can we translate that willingness to protest and to be out, you know, having fun with their friends in this group activity? Can they turn, can folks turn that into getting folks registered and getting folks to vote? And, you know, we’ll find out next year if they can make that happen,” said Michelson.

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