Lori Pardi, a 56-year-old facilities manager at Fresno State, had never attended a protest—until Saturday. Standing among hundreds at the “No Kings” rally outside the Manchester Center in Fresno, she said it was time for her to speak out in support of immigrants amid escalating ICE activity across the country.
“I’m out here today because I’m seeing how this administration is destroying our democracy and dividing us, ignoring the Constitution,” she said. “Immigrants are not the enemy, and anyone who is out here supporting our First Amendment rights is not the enemy.”
Thousands of protesters gathered peacefully Saturday near the Manchester Center at Blackstone and Shields avenues in Fresno, and along the Clovis Old Town Trail near Shaw and Clovis avenues, as part of the growing nationwide “No Kings” movement. The rallies voiced opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration raids, the government shutdown and what protesters described as authoritarian tactics used by federal agents, among other things.
“I want basic human rights for all. I want respect for all, and I want Trump out of office,” said Ayse Kblemet, a protester outside the Manchester Center who also joined the rally in response to the ongoing government shutdown. “Trump has to stop bullying the Congress and blaming Democrats. It’s a terrible and inappropriate look for an elected official to place undue blame on other elected officials. Everyone should be getting compensated for their work.”
Hundreds of participants in the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings rally showed up before the scheduled 9 a.m. start in the streets surrounding Manchester Mall. JUAN ESPARZA LOERA/jesparza@fresnobee.com
At both locations, demonstrators waved American and Mexican flags, held up handmade signs reading “No Kings,” and chanted slogans demanding accountability from government leaders. Phrases like “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go,” and “The people united will never be divided” echoed from the busy Fresno intersection and the scenic trail in Clovis, drawing honks and cheers from passing cars and cyclists.
The rallies were organized by local nonprofits, community organizers and labor unions, including the May 1st Coalition and the National Union of Healthcare Workers. They followed large “No Kings” protests in June.
Singleton Papendick, a Clovis mom, organized the rally along the Old Town trail with a small team of volunteer safety coordinators by her side.
“The number one thing for me, and from what a lot of people who I’ve talked to have discussed, is exercising our free speech, the First Amendment right,” Papendick said. “To peacefully assemble is huge, and I feel like right now this administration is attacking and using not truthful rhetoric about who is trying to get out and protest and speak their minds.”
The Manchester Center protest drew a diverse crowd of students, families, and longtime activists who lined the sidewalks near one of the city’s busiest transit corridors.
“A good portion of my family has had history with ICE, so it’s just bringing up a lot of bad memories. They’re not willing to come out right now because they’ve been through it,” said Angel Sanchez, a protester at Manchester Center who was holding up a sign that read “More Reformation, Less Deportation.”
“They’re always telling me to be careful and to stay safe,” she said.
The Fresno Police Department was out patrolling the area of Manchester Center during the ‘No Kings’ demonstration that brought thousands to the event. Officers were out to make sure the demonstration was peaceful and that people remained on the sidewalk and away from the median on Blackstone Avenue, near Shields.
“We have flexed additional personnel to work the area,” Fresno police Lt. David Madrigal told The Bee. “Our patrol efforts are to maintain high visibility as well as enforcement action if needed. We have been working with the event coordinator to establish event guidelines. Our officers are also monitoring any potential counterprotests. Overall, we expect a safe event where people can demonstrate peacefully.”
Police said 25 citations were issued; four warnings were given; one vehicle was towed for reckless driving, and six misdemeanor citations related to vehicle code were issued.
In Clovis, the demonstration spanned part of the Old Town Trail’s east side near Shaw, a normally quiet stretch that became a hub of chants and music throughout the afternoon. Though typically seen as a more conservative part of the region, Clovis organizers and attendees said they were motivated to show that resistance to federal overreach isn’t limited by geography.
“I feel like somebody needs to stand up and say we still believe in human rights, and truth, and freedom from oppression and just basic decency,” said Carly Oliver, a protester in Clovis. “I wasn’t sure if there would be as good of a turnout, but Clovis is showing up.”
Hundreds gather in Clovis for “No Kings Day” protest on the morning of Oct. 18. LILIANA FANNIN
The Manchester Center protest drew thousands of participants at its peak, while the Clovis event saw 600-1,000 people join in throughout the day. Both protests remained mostly peaceful, and there was little visible counter-protest at either site. Although in Clovis, some drivers yelled “Trump” out of their windows and flipped off protesters.
Nelson Esparza, who represents District 7, which includes parts of central and east Fresno, was seen at the “No Kings” protest at the Manchester Center. He later participated in a kids Halloween event at a parking lot in the area.
“I thought people came out in full force from all over the community. Blocks and blocks and blocks were crowded with attendees,” he said. “It really reflects the angst, the frustration, the anger with this current administration that our country is having to endure. Fundamentally what we’re all seeing is the erosion of our democracy.”
Congressman Jim Costa and former state assemblymember Juan Arambula were also spotted at the Manchester Center rally.
The rallies in Fresno and Clovis are two of more than 2,500 protests that took place across all 50 states today, putting it on track to surpass the demonstrations held on June 14 that mobilized millions of people in over 1,500 cities.
The protests take their name to declare that America has no kings. “The president thinks his rule is absolute,” the group’s website says. “We won’t back down against the chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”