Several hundred demonstrators gathered in the streets to protest former Arizona lawman, Joe Arpaio, who joined Fresno Republicans for a fundraiser Friday evening.
The controversial Maricopa County Sheriff spoke at a sold out event in southeast Fresno that attracted concerned Republicans and discuss their worry about the party’s ability to appeal to Latinos, the New York Times reported.
“We are a diverse, inclusive community and Joe Arpaio and the Fresno County GOP inviting him here we don’t believe reflect the values and the views of this community,” said Nancy Gilmore, a concerned resident, to Fresno-based NBC-affiliate KSEE.
During the event, Arpaio addressed being convicted for actions related to his alleged racial profiling of Latinos – which he was later pardoned by Trump.
“I end up on the defense table for a trial on a contempt of court, where everyone’s bragging about the criminal sheriff,” said Arpaio. “One day they’re going to find out the real story about this, I’m not guilty.”
The New York Times reports that Arpaio continued to speak on his support for Trump and took a more laid back approach on professional football players who protest peacefully.
But many Fresno protesters felt disappointed at the presence of a person who is anti-immigrant who they believe would continue to spread more fear amongst an already marginalized group of people, according to Fresno resident to Fresno-based NBC-affiliate KSEE.
California
“This is really a slap in the face to bring someone like that here, someone who has described his jail as a concentration camp,” said Michael Evans, President of the Fresno County Democratic Party. “That’s not someone we should be honoring.”
According to Fresno resident to Fresno-based NBC-affiliate KSEE, protesters stayed outside of the event until former Sheriff Arpaio left the Valley.
