Peaceful Demonstrations
Join the Demonstration
The Save the Tower Theater Demonstration Committee organized 60 straight weeks of demonstrations as of February 27, 2022.
Demonstrators continue to arrive every Sunday morning on the northeast corner of Wishon Avenue and Olive Avenue, across the street from Tower Theatre.
Demonstrators are from a wide variety of groups and communities throughout the Central Valley and come to exercise their First Amendment right about many aspects of this fight.
Our general guidelines for demonstrating:
Is it safe?
It's okay to ask! And it's okay to be careful. We want everyone to exercise their right to peacefully assemble . . . well . . . peacefully! This is how we encourage demonstrators to maintain a positive demonstration each Sunday:
We encourage demonstrators to stay on the NE corner of Olive and Wishon.
Demonstrators are encouraged to stay on our corner to better provide for their safety and to reduce the risk of confrontation with others.
Create a safe space .
We have permission to use the Chicken Pie Shop parking lot, and we create a clear boundary between the private lot and the public sidewalk. The private lot is available for taking breaks at any time during the demonstration. Any trespassers are asked to leave the lot or the Fresno PD will be called. Please note that if our committee is not set up in the lot, the demonstrators are acting independently. Please make good choices!
Practice the "Three Ds": De-escalate, Disengage, and De-compress.
"Keeping the temperature down" is important during a protest. The presence of counter-protestors can be stressful, so we encourage non-engagement and focus on the message. If any demonstrator feels unsafe, harassed or rising stress, we encourage them to step back or to leave the demonstration.
Also practice the "Three A's": Awareness, Anticipation, and Accountability.
Spend time to actively survey the lot and corner for any potential problems, needs, or issues. Do your best to meet the needs of our unhoused community, give information to passersby, and be on the lookout for potential escalation. Give clear instructions if there is ever a safety issue. Any demonstrators who exhibit disruptive or aggressive behaviors should be asked to leave immediately. Hold others accountable for the safety and well-being of everyone at the protest.
Please review this information from the City of Fresno regarding when unlawful protestors can be cited and/or arrested. Organizers reserve the right to ask any group or individual to leave, at any time, without prior warning if they cannot adhere to our code of conduct. Please see our full code of conduct below and recommended safety precautions list.
