Anti-hate rally draws hundreds to Fresno's Tower District

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An anti-hate rally took over the Tower District Saturday morning as hundreds of supporters took a stand against the violence in Charlottesville and white supremacy.

Close to 500 people lined the streets of the Tower District to stand up against hatred from anti-Nazi swastika posters to ending white supremacy signs.

"I speak today out of a profound love against ideas filled with hate," one speaker told the crowd.

People attending say they're trying to make a difference in any way they can to get the message across to people.

"Well, that's why we're standing over here, so we can be seen," Peggy Grant of Fresno said.

Anti-hate supporter Tyler Grady says he came to the rally to stand against racism and gender inequality and recent turmoil regarding a transgender ban in the military.

"I need to show that there are people that aren't close minded, and there's a group here that's willing to show that, so I want to try to make a change somehow," he said.

About 60 Fresno Police Department officers were dedicated to the rally for safety precautions - including Police Chief Jerry Dyer, who says the department put out barricades in advance to protect the crowd.

"Part of that is to keep the sidewalk free," he said. "The other is to protect the crowd from any vehicles and also to create a barrier for a separation between any counter-protesters."

Dyer says the rally was very peaceful and the organizers have complied with everything police officers asked.

"I think there are lots of ways to get the message out," Grant said. "The biggest way we get the message out is how we treat one another."