Too bad more Republican politicians aren’t as healing as Fresno’s mayor | Opinion
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- Mayor Jerry Dyer urged unity at Fresno's Mexican Independence Day event.
- Dyer condemned violence and fear amid national division and Kirk's killing.
- His 'One Fresno' message emphasized inclusion regardless of immigration status.
It’s too bad Jerry Dyer is the mayor of Fresno, the state’s fifth-largest city. I’m not saying that in a negative way, but in the positives for him as an elected Republican in higher office to address our political divide.
I showed up in downtown Fresno on Sunday morning expecting to get my fill of tacos, cucumber water and folklorico dancing. I got more. I got to see a mayor whose short speech deserved an audience beyond a couple hundred.
Speaking for five minutes on a makeshift stage on Fulton and Tulare streets at the start of Fresno’s major Mexican Independence Day celebration, Dyer addressed not only immigration but the fallout from last Wednesday’s assassination of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk in Utah.
“We have people that don’t feel like celebrating because we live in such a divided country at the moment,” said Dyer. “We live in a divided America. We live in an intolerant America. We live in an America that is filled with hate and, unfortunately, a propensity for violence as we saw this last week with the political assassination of a young man who was 31 years of age.
“I will stand up here and tell you as a mayor that I don’t care what a person’s political views are. I don’t care what a person’s religious views are. But, no one, no one deserves to be killed for those views or the words in which they speak openly.”
Dyer didn’t mention Kirk by name. But he didn’t need to. “It’s unfortunate that this 31-year-old man will now leave behind a loving wife and two children who will grow up without a father, ages 3 and 1.”
In the days following Kirk’s death, opponents have posted online videos of the podcaster’s views on abortion, the Second Amendment and efforts on diversity, equality and inclusion. His supporters have disparaged those posts, and have tried to dox posters who have celebrated the killing.
Dyer, who also addressed the need for civility at a Thursday press conference, didn’t go there. He was right not to.
“It is time for us to come together and to be able to set aside our differences in America, and right here in Fresno to set aside the differences of race or political party,” said Dyer, speaking from notes on a piece of paper.
Dyer said what other politicians, on either side of the aisle, have failed to conceptualize without criticizing one side or the other.
“People live in fear”
Dyer – whose wife, Diane, is of Mexican descent – also waded into immigration and the fear the immigrant community faces under President Donald Trump’s vow to carry out the country’s “largest deportation in history.”
“Today is an opportunity to celebrate México’s independence from Spain. We celebrate identity and we celebrate culture through music, dance and food,” he said. “But, I understand as a mayor of Fresno that not everyone today feels like celebrating.”
Dyer explained that some residents live in fear, are afraid to go to work or to a place of worship or to a medical appointment. “There’s a fear that exists in our community. Fear of separation from family, a fear of separation from country, a country in which people have grown to love, and even a fear of separation from a country in which some people were born,” he said.
“It hurts me to see people live in fear in our city.”
The umbrella of One Fresno, the slogan Dyer used to win office and has been used throughout his administration, is for everyone, he said.
“It is that no matter what a person looks like, no matter where they live, no matter what their income level is, no matter whether they are documented or undocumented, no matter how they vote or who they love, they have values,” said Dyer. “They have rights, and they belong right here in the City of Fresno.”
Mind you, Fresno is not a sanctuary city but you wouldn’t know it from the way Dyer speaks about immigrants and their contributions to the region.
“I want to challenge all of us that are here today to not get caught up in the hatred and the anger that exists in our society. Let’s come together as One Fresno to look beyond our differences and see the fact that we are all one race, the human race,” said Dyer.
“Let’s celebrate together as a family.”
Our mayor deserves a bigger platform to help the healing.
This story was originally published September 15, 2025 at 2:22 PM.