FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A nationwide strike brought protests, student walkouts and business closures to Fresno as demonstrators voiced opposition to the Trump Administration’s immigration crackdown.
The grassroots effort, which included calls for no work, no school and no shopping, unfolded alongside demonstrations in Minneapolis and across the country.
In Fresno, the sound of honking horns accompanied protesters who said they were organizing in solidarity with other cities.
“I’m angry with what’s happening in the country. I think we need to be prepared and we need to build that community and build that solidarity before what’s happening in. Minneapolis comes here to Central Valley,” said a student activist.
The demonstrations come amid escalating tensions following the deaths of Rene Good and Alex Pretti, who were shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month.
On Shaw Avenue in Fresno, protesters delivered a unified message, calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents to leave American cities.
“They need to back off and let the Normal justice system work not the corrupt justice system,” said protestor Bob Speechly. “This is not the American way.”
Hundreds of students near Fresno High School marched out of class, carrying signs as they joined the protest.
At Fresno State, students organized a different kind of demonstration, making bracelets printed with the ICE hotline number to report sightings and sharing information about how to become legal observers.
“I think folks are showing up and whatever way they can. I think a lot of it folks are looking for peace folks want protection in their communities and I think part of that is being at risk with ice present,” said Andrea Vazquez of the California Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance.
Dozens of Valley businesses also participated.
A vintage store on Fulton Street closed its doors for the day. Ampersand Ice Cream is donating all profits to the Valley Watch Network. Albee Sanchez of Frida Cafe said he could not close because of overhead costs but gave his employees the day off.
“The most important thing for us right now to do is you unite and you do not unite with anger unite with common goal,” Sanchez said.
Fresno State political science professor Tom Holyoke said protests are a common response during periods of unrest, reflecting a long-standing American tradition of collective action.
“It’s actually a very old American tradition. It goes back to the revolution. Americans have always had a long history of protesting in fact, protesting is actually guaranteed in our constitution in the first amendment, allowing the people to peacefully assemble,” Holyoke said.
Advocacy groups in the Valley are calling for accountability of aggressive raids, racial profiling and deadly force.
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