The day president Obama came to town was one of high energy and excitement.
Music and chatter radiated from the corner of Chestnut and Dakota avenues as more than 500 people eagerly gathered on the northwest side of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, hoping to get a glimpse of the president of the United States.
Although many came for differing reasons, there was no denying the anticipation.
Fresno resident Mario Rodriguez arrived on the scene armed with enthusiasm and his trumpet determined to welcome the president’s arrival despite knowledge of not being able to meet the president himself.
“I was born and raised in Fresno and I am here today to support the Democrats. I’m proud of where I come from,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, like his late father, works the land as a farmer. His intent was to honor his father’s memory by welcoming the president and being open to any sort of relief the president may offer the Valley.
“You have got to be happy and thankful. If you are the most humble man you’ll be the happiest man!” Rodriguez said.
Though all were excited by the president’s visit to Fresno, not everyone shared Rodriguez’s positive enthusiasm.
Mario Manganiello stood in protest along with his group, the Fresno Brown Berets.
“I’m against a lot of what the President does, like, he is pro deportation he gives money to Guantanamo Bay” said Manganiello
Manganiello stands opposed to what he believes are failings that the president should be held responsible for and hoped this gathering would be an effective means to send this message out.
“He [Obama] said that he was going to do all these great things when he came into office, he hasn’t really done all of them” Manganeillo said, “He hasn’t attempted enough or tried hard enough to change things.”
Manganiello’s primary goal, it seems, is not to offend or harass President Obama but simply to be seen and have his questions answered.
Protesting along with Manganiello was Peace Fresno member Dylan Donelley. Donelley’s main priority in coming to the gathering was informing the people of Fresno about the Trans Pacific Partnership and “fracking” that is going on throughout the country.
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing, a process used to extract oil, gas or even water from the earth by injecting fluid into cracks within rock formations.
Despite Donelly’s demonstration, he said he was not there to protest the president and was only there to inform the public about current issues. “We are not all here to look at his big plane, we are here to let him know that he must take action about these issues,” said Donelly.
With all the excitement and the growing crowd, it was important that order be maintained—the Fresno Police department set up a perimeter around the area with the intent to keep the crowd civil. Officer Joe Sacca made clear that all protesters were asked to do it peacefully. Police officers were stationed in the outskirts of the airport to control traffic. When prompted as to how the police were keeping the peace Sacca said, “Basically just keeping crowd control to a minimum.”
Despite the amount of people that showed up in the northwest end of the airport to witness the landing of Air Force One, Fresno police officers did not encounter any issues.
The crowd’s energy went from excited to ecstatic as in the distance the tiny silhouette of a plane formed. As the plane drew closer, the crowd’s excitement grew—Fresno resident Sandy Reed was thrilled by the chance to see Air Force One touch down.
Sandy described her admiration of the president and her hopes that he will provide the Valley with much needed help.
“I think he’ll do what he needs to do, if the congressmen in the house back him up, if people have any complaints they better go after the other lazy bums that don’t do anything,” said Reed.