No Kings Day protests remain peaceful in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Thousands of No Kings Day demonstrations took place across the country Saturday, including right here in the Central Valley. Saturday’s protests in Fresno are in opposition of the Trump administration, coinciding with the president’s birthday and a large military parade in Washington, D.C.

June 14 is Flag Day, President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the US Army. But thousands of people are using the day to make their voices heard.

“This is my first time doing any kind of protest,” protester Lee Perryman said.

Perryman is demonstrating against what she says is President Donald Trump’s misuse of power since returning to office.

“We’re out here to support other things besides the billion-dollar parade that he’s putting on. People are starving, people are hungry and he’s putting on a birthday parade,” Perryman said.

These protests are also in response to multiple immigration raids in California.

“We think it’s an overreach and we think people are being swept away and wrongly accused without due process,” Perryman said.

“I’m here to support the families. I know the suffering they’re going through with everything happening around,” protester Madel Felix said.

John Aguilar is raising awareness for veterans like himself after reports that Saturday’s Army Day parade would cost upwards of $45 million.

“They could send that money to the V.A. They could send that money to lawyers and courts that could better deal with immigration and people seeking asylum. As a combat veteran, I certainly did not fight for a king,” Vietnam Veteran and protester John Aguilar said.

Fresno City Councilmember Nick Richardson was also in the crowd, making sure folks in his jurisdiction are safe.

“I have a vested interest in the security of the people who put me in this job, the businesses who are here, the folks who just happened to be transiting through,” Fresno City Councilmember for District 6 Nick Richardson said.

Not far from thousands of people at River Park were hundreds more protestors at Cary Park and Fashion Fair. They believe what they’re doing will bring change.

“If it wasn’t for my family that worked in fields, that protested with Cesar Chavez. I protested with him when I was 12 years old. And there has been a significant change to the migrant or the migrant workers,” protester Abby Serrate said.

It’s a mix of pain for some.

“I have a grandson in the National Guard who’s in L.A. right now, and I’ll say no more about that,” Aguilar said.

And a mix of pride on display.

“I came to the last protest, and it was also around 10 a.m., and I was one of the first ones to get here. There was nobody here. So this time that I got here, I am amazed by how many people actually came out and support it,” Felix said.

Although there were a few hecklers throughout the day, demonstrations remained peaceful.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer commended the community for protesting peacefully in the following statement:

Today, as demonstrations took place across the nation in response to military celebrations in Washington D.C., Fresno also saw peaceful gatherings at the corners of Shaw and Fresno Avenues, as well as Blackstone and Nees Avenues.

More than 2,000 people participated here in Fresno. I want to thank all those who took part for conducting themselves respectfully. Protesters stayed off private property and out of the roadway, helping to ensure everyone’s safety.

I also want to thank the men and women of the Fresno Police Department for their professionalism and presence throughout the day. Their efforts helped ensure that everything remained safe and peaceful.

This is yet another example of what makes Fresno a great city—where people can express their views peacefully and responsibly.

Mayor Jerry Dyer