‘No Kings’ protesters flood Fresno’s River Park area. ‘It’s a trauma we carry’
A large crowd of protesters gathered Saturday morning on the sidewalks of Fresno’s River Park as part of the growing “No Kings” movement protest. No Kings is a grassroots protest against authoritarian leadership, immigration policies and a political system many believe has left working-class communities behind.
The demonstration, which temporarily shut down a Fresno Area Express (FAX) bus stop near El Paso and Nees avenues, drew people from across the city, including first-time protesters, immigrant families and longtime residents. The No. 38 bus line, which stops along Cedar Avenue, was seen unloading passengers who joined the crowd, some carrying handmade signs and flags representing Mexico and the United States.
“I’ve never done anything like this,” said Julie, a local protester attending her first demonstration. “I’m just fed up with everything I believe is happening. It feels like it’s been five years.”
The protest — with hundreds and perhaps 2,000 or more attending — was filled with emotional testimonies. One young woman held a sign saying, “Proud Daughter of Immigrants.” She shared the story of her father’s deportation, when she was just 11 years old.
“It’s a trauma we carry,” she said. “He was our breadwinner. He came here to give us a better life. To be treated this way is ridiculous.”
American and Mexican flags fly at protest
Flags waved above the crowd, including double-sided banners with American and Mexican emblems symbolizing the dual identities of many participants.
“Having both flags means we’re representing both of our cultures,” said one protester who was selling flags. “We are united — we are one. There’s no difference in skin color or where we are from. We are all from God.”
Vendors and community members also joined in. Ryan, a Fresno native selling ice cream said he saw the protest flier posted online and decided he would come and support.
“I’m not super informed, but I’m the child of immigrants from Cambodia. It doesn’t sit right with me how they’re handling immigration, especially in a place as diverse as this. It feels good to be out here and to support.”
Gary, another first-time protester, voiced his frustrations.
“I don’t want a president who wants to be the pope,” he said. “I’m just fed up with how things are going.”
Cars honked in support as they drove past, blasting music that ranged from protest anthems like “F*** Donald Trump” to traditional Mexican corridors. Handwritten signs read messages like “Real patriots protest rights, not power” and “DEMOCRACY HAS NO KINGS.”
“I have family who are undocumented,” said one protester. “I’m a U.S. citizen. It just doesn’t feel real that we’re still fighting for freedom of speech in this way. When I was little, we used to walk from church to city hall protesting.”
She’s afraid nothing will change and her kids will also have to go through a government like this, living in fear and being judged by their skin color instead of being free, she said.
‘We’re part of this country’
Some expressed deep skepticism in the political process.
“People say vote for the economy, but I feel like our votes don’t even count. They already know who they want. Why vote,” she said.
Another speaker, a former organizer and now a federal employee, said the movement reflects a tipping point for the working class.
“A lot has changed in this country in just the last month and a half,” he said. “It’s becoming stronger. But now it feels like the oligarchy got out,” he said.
Like many people, his father came to California as a farmworker paying taxes and contributing to the economy.
“We’re part of this country,” he said.
This story was originally published June 14, 2025 at 1:03 PM.
