‘We’re not asking.’ Fresno rally organizer, others say they will open shops on Oct. 1
A gathering outside Fresno City Hall on Monday attended by hundreds of people was a rallying cry to business owners to open shop Oct. 1 with or without permission from Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to its organizer.
Restaurants, gyms, salons, schools and other businesses most affected by orders to shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic were all supported by the rally, according to organizer Lewis Everk, president of Everk Hospitality Group, which owns businesses in the shopping center at Champlain Drive and Perrin Avenue.
“We have to take action, because if we don’t we’ll be having this same rally in six months,” he said to supporters in the crowd. “We’re not asking, we’re telling you we’re opening safely on Oct. 1.”
That sentiment was repeated by multiple speakers and written on signs with slogans like “Open Up Oct. 1” and “Closed No More.” Business owners said they could operate a business and maintain Centers for Disease Control guidelines.
Many businesses first closed in March after local and state orders meant to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, business closures were ordered again by Newsom.
That has been difficult on many small business owners who argue they can operate safely. Some even argue they can be safer than big box stores that have never closed during the pandemic.
Vince Cortez, who owns three Dope Barber Shop locations, said barbers faced difficult decisions when their incomes dried up, leading them to do “backdoor haircuts” at homes or other makeshift locations, he said at the rally.
He said he’s lost eight of his 26 barbers, leaving the shops understaffed when people walk in the door.
“We now have to try to turn these people into appointments at a later date or risk losing their business altogether,” he said. “The only way we were able to stay afloat is we have an awesome landlord.”
At the rally surrounding the fountain in front of City Hall, many demonstrators wore red “Make America Great Again” hats. A few people wore “recall Newsom” face masks, and several waved American, Blue Lives Matter and Gadsden flags. The crowd also cheered when one speaker name-dropped President Donald Trump.
The first local cases in the global COVID-19 pandemic were confirmed in early March. Since that time, more than 63,400 residents in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare counties have tested positive for the virus. More than 48,000 of those infected have recovered, but nearly 900 deaths in the Valley are attributed to the coronavirus.
The U.S. has the highest number of total cases to date, as well as the highest number of deaths blamed on the virus.
As of Friday afternoon, the Johns Hopkins tracking system showed California with more than 777,000 cases and 14,872 deaths.
Fresno City Council
Last week, a majority of the Fresno City Council supported Mayor Lee Brand sending a letter to Newsom to ask for permission to open indoor dining once Fresno County health officials could determine the growing number of infections were not coming from people dining in.
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld said he did not support the letter because it didn’t open businesses immediately. He also spoke at the rally, calling it a “pathetic letter” to the governor and criticizing local and state elected leaders.
“They’re weak,” he said as he addressed the crowd. “They’re radicals and they’re not doing anything to help you.”
Bredefeld also criticized Newsom for releasing inmates to reduce crowding in jails during the pandemic. California in July announced a plan to release about 8,000 prison inmates early through the end of August.
Also speaking at the rally were several small business owners and Clovis Mayor Drew Bessinger.
Some of the rally’s more controversial speakers included Warrior Fitness owner Paul Watson and Pismo’s Grill owner Dave Fansler, both of whom have been fined for not following orders to close. Fansler called the state’s response to the pandemic a “slow boat to hell.”
Fresno native Erica Kious, who was behind the release of a video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visiting a closed salon amid COVID-19, also spoke. Kious said she “just lost it” when she saw the Pelosi video, which she said presented a double standard.
House of JuJu owner Julie Glenn said her Clovis eatery began allowing indoor dining in July. After a $1,000 fine from the state bureau of Alcoholic Beverage Control, she relinquished her license.
“It’s something we decided as a family,” she said. “My son said, ‘Mom, we are being bullied.’”
The eatery continues to allow indoor dining despite officials from Fresno County telling her to close. She said she does not fear enforcement because Fresno County District Attorney Lisa A. Smittcamp has declined to prosecute offenders.
Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, said during the rally that businesses should open.
“It’ll be Oct. 1, Mr. governor, whether you like it or not,” he said.
This story was originally published September 21, 2020 at 2:10 PM.
