‘Very concerned’: Fresno’s ‘No Kings’ protests draw mixed reactions

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Multiple protests in opposition of President Donald Trump and his administration took over sidewalks in Fresno and the greater Central Valley, but not everyone was on board with the demonstrations.

“No Kings” protests began in June of this year and spread to dozens of cities across the United States, and if you stepped out of the house in Fresno or Clovis on Oct. 18, then you probably saw or heard the protests.

“This is democracy in action right now. People are standing up saying what they believe with no violence, no hatred, no racial slurs,” protestor in Clovis Lee Sargent said.

No Kings protests in Fresno and Clovis were well attended.

“A lot of this stuff that’s happening today was stuff people just overlooked as, you know, rhetoric. And then it’s like, oh, he meant that,” protestor in Fresno Mike Wilson said.

“I’m very concerned for our country. The road that we’re going down appears to be going down the road of fascism,” protester in Fresno Charlene McCormick said.

Even Lady Liberty made an appearance.

“I saw Lady Liberty, and I was like, there you go. There you go. I like that. So that was the first thing I noticed when I came up this way,” Wilson said.

The Central Valley had around 12 different No Kings protests that stretched from Modesto to Visalia.

“Against Donald Trump saying that he has too much of an authoritarian type of regime going on here, that he’s just making executive decisions and actions and rules and laws what he sees fit without consulting the people first,” Sargent said.

But some oppose the No Kings protests.

“They’re entitled to protest as long as it’s peaceful. I disagree with it 100%,” Mark A. Bilinski from Los Angeles said.

“I think it’s sad and it’s pretty silly about how they’re, how they’re going about it. I mean, there’s a way of doing it, but I don’t think it’s right. I mean, it’s just too much silliness,” Marguerite Ancheta from Fresno said.

Dozens gathered in Clovis for a “No on Prop 50” rally. That included Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo.

“The only king in California is Gavin Newsom, and the people that have he’s continued to surround himself with that enable his agenda, which is silencing people that disagree with him. And if you don’t believe me, ask me who was ripped off of my committees, effectively silencing the 500,000 people I represent because I came out fighting to represent valley interests,” Assemblywoman Macedo said. 

And Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig did not mince words.

“I fully support people’s rights to protest. But it’s ironic they’re out there saying no kings. And yet what Gavin Newsom has done by introducing this redistricting process, that’s a king, ultimately trying to say he wants full control in the legislature when it comes to drawing maps,” Supervisor Magsig said.