Trick-or-treat? Downtown business owner pokes fun at Fulton vandal on Halloween

On the eve of Fulton Street’s grand opening, it seemed everyone in downtown was talking about Dallas Blanchard’s arrest.

Blanchard admitted earlier this month to vandalizing a new sign on Fulton Street as a way to protest what he sees as the gentrification of downtown Fresno. His arrest sparked a debate on social media, and the city and the Downtown Fresno Partnership took steps to increase security on the newly finished street.

One Fulton Street businessman had his fun with Blanchard’s arrest on Halloween night.

Floyd Jamal Sanchez, co-founder of Ppl Studio, a branding company, dressed up as the Fulton vandal Tuesday night. He posed with closed paint can by the sign Blanchard splattered paint on that’s since been cleaned.

And, Sanchez even posed for a photo opp with Blanchard himself, who lives downtown and walks past Fulton street nearly everyday.

The dust from the arrest and debate had settled by Tuesday night when many downtown enthusiasts reacted to Sanchez’ costume with a chuckle – and a cry-laughing emoji – on the For the Love of Downtown Fresno Facebook page.

Commenters deemed Sanchez the winner of Halloween: “Can’t stop laughing!”

“Well played,” another said, and “Love it!”

This story was originally published November 1, 2017 at 2:33 PM with the headline "Trick-or-treat? Downtown business owner pokes fun at Fulton vandal on Halloween."