(KMJ) About 500 protesters gathered at Blackstone and Shaw Avenues in NW Fresno Saturday evening to voice their concern and outrage over recent fatal officer-involved shootings. One of the deadly incidents being denounced is that of Dylan Noble. The 19 year old Clovis High grad was killed in a confrontation with FPD two weeks ago. Other high profile killings in Louisiana and Minnesota were also condemned.
Protestors held signs and chanted “Black lives matter!” Local law enforcement closed the Highway 41 off ramps to Shaw Avenue which slowed traffic to a crawl around 5pm Saturday. About thirty minutes later, the group moved north on Blackstone, blocking much of the street. Then they made their way east on Bullard where dozens of officers in riot gear were waiting near the Hwy 41 off ramp.
A handful of protesters broke through but were immediately rebuffed by heavy law enforcement presence at the bottom of the ramp. They did not make it on to the freeway, and turned around. At the same time, several protestors shouted at officers who held their ground and did not engage.
The group, now after an hour of marching in 93 degree heat, was much quieter as they headed south on Fresno St. Then they headed east and some briefly entered Fashion Fair Mall, much to the surprise of mall security. Nearby, Shaw and First was closed to traffic for a time.
The protest eventually wound its way to Clovis PD headquarters where it began to wind down and many participants were bused back to their cars at Shaw & Blackstone.
