While the Fresno City Council debates the appropriateness of holding cage-fighting matches at Woodward Park, the two candidates running for mayor on Nov. 4 say their administrations will not allow the matches at the regional park. Mayoral candidates Henry T. Perea and Ashley Swearengin said on the Boren/McEwen political podcast on Sept. 3 there are better venues for the sport than Woodward Park. They support holding the matches in the city, but in other venues such as Selland Arena.
The City Council on Tuesday asked Mayor Alan Autry's administration to clarify the types of events that should be allowed in the Woodward Park amphitheater.
The cage match on Aug. 23 caused the controversy. One of the problems was that it was held at the same time as a production of "Hamlet." Some in the cage-fighting crowd were yelling expletives at the Shakespeare production. It also was disrupted by the police helicopter flying over the park to ensure there wasn't any trouble at the cage-fighting matches. They came off just fine, but the two events clashed.
Cage fighting in the park has many influential supporters, Mayor Alan Autry, Police Chief Jerry Dyer and Pastor H Spees were in the audience watching the matches.
Here are the candidates' responses to whether cage fighting should be held at Woodward Park:
Perea:
No, we could have chosen a much better venue as a city to have that kind of event, whether it was at Selland Arena or some other kind of venue which I thought would have been much more suitable for that. I've got to tell you, I commend the Autry administration and this council for doing what we have with parks over the last couple of years. We are investing over $30 million in parks in new parks all across the city. Parks that are badly needed in neighborhoods like mine where I grew up. Certainly as a child we didn't have parks growing up. And we played in the street or had to hop the fence at the nearest school to have a time to play and get some exercise. So I believe this administration, and this council, have taken the issue of parks very serious and have truly moved forward in a meaningful way. But what we have to do is make sure that as we move forward with new ideas and new innovative ways to satisfy the recreational needs of our community, that they're not in competition with each other like the events you just mentioned. How are we going to move forward with more bike lanes, more trails, more green space in a way that doesn't create conflict in our community, and we have to do that with our eyes wide open, getting out there and making sure that we're dotting our I's and crossing our T's, not just at the administration level but throughout City Hall.
Swearengin:
It was a train wreck. I can't think of any other way to say it. Just a complete train wreck. I'm not inside City Hall, I don't know the inner workings of how decisions like that got made to allow both events to go on at the same time. But it obviously suggests to me there was a lack of communication and a lack of coordination and I think the citizens of Fresno deserve and expect more from City Hall. It was just an unfortunate train wreck.
I'm sure the old gladiator fights had lots of influential supporters, too...
First let me say I am not a fan of Mixed Martial Arts.
I would strongly suggest that both candidates be sure to check with the City Attorney about the City’s ability to not allow a particular entertainment event that is legal from access in a taxpayer supported venue before they try to put their foot down.
Sorry candidates, if you do you'll find the Mayor of Fresno does not have the authority to make that decision.
One of the candidates sat next to me yesterday during the discussion of this issue at our City Council meeting and if he was listening to the comments made by our City Attorney and the City Manager knows this.
The amphitheater is not a private venue so banning certain events that are legally allowed, where only those who choose to participate can even see or hear it, could leave the City open to some real serious legal challenges. What’s next? Rap music? Country music? The public reading out loud of a political book? Who is going to be the enlightened one who makes this decision of what entertainment event you can watch at the amphitheater?
The particular event of Mixed Martial Arts that is causing this so called controversy is very popular in Fresno as witnessed by the sellout crowds. Don’t those taxpayers have the same right to enjoy an entertainment event in a nice outdoor venue that they are paying for as someone who attends a Country music concert?
The policy that will come back to the Council will only reiterate what the city staff is doing now. It will be general and it will not establish a specific list of what activities will be allowed or not allowed.
I do not think it should be allowed in a public area where children can see or hear the nastiness that comes out of mouths. There is enough violence and kids don't need to see more. It is very telling how adults can respond to the violence as well making it necessary for a police copter to watch for trouble.
MOI sat and listened to all of the folks that were at the City CouncilMeeting. Being no fan of Duncan can tell true that what he had to say was spot on. MOI will never use 'these people' ever again to lump folks into a group. 'These people' were thoughtful, respectful and very correct in theirviews. MOI was much impressed that so many good folks cared enough tocome down to City Hall and take part in the process of local government. MOI loathes 'cage fighting' but will tell true that different things appeal to different people, and there is no doubt that many in Fresno want this sort of thing. His Holiness AndyI and Mr. Cooper were spot on when they told the CityCouncil that it was LEGAL and it was well covered as to libility to theCity. That is the bottom line. To deny a group that has every right to rent this venue, as it stands now as City policy, would be so very wrong. Ban this group and you might as well ban "Gay and Lesbian Faire" or "RAP" artists, simple because some in Fresno do not like. The LAW was followed and the event was LEGAL. Even the chap in charge of the Shakespeare event did not have a complaint, they thought the venue was too large for them and they were right happy with where they were, calling it a more 'intimate' setting and drawing more folks. A park means different things to different people, and one as to change mindset about just what is a park. To be true, it is nothing if folks do not use. Will say again, MOI loathes the very idea of 'cage fighting' but firmly believes that His Holiness AndyI and Mr. Cooper did their homework well. Perea sits on the City Council and he knows full well how it works at City Hall, his thinking on parks is coloured by his lust for higher office. Ms. Swearengin does not tell true and the use of 'trainwreck' to describe the event is a bit like calling a pimple on face a massive boil. Perhaps Perea and Ms. Swearengin need to listen to 'those people'who took the time to come to City Hall and be engage in the process of local government, what a truly lovely place Fresno would be if 'those people' really had a voice at City Hall. MOI would not be MOI if he did not end this with what Sterling contributed to the debate. Ms. Sterling would not want such an event in her district because 'her people' can ill afford $30.00 for a ticket.This coming from a councilperson who has but lint in her pocketbook.
I must admit to having mixed emotions on this one. (Kind of like your mother-in-law driving over a cliff in your favorite car! Sorry couldn’t resist!).
On the one hand I’m not a fan of so-called "cage fighting." Not enough rules! It’s more like a back-alley brawl. Now, boxing, I understand and enjoy; there are clearly defined rules. Not so with cage fighting. I guess I just have trouble with kicking a guy in the head when he is down.
On the other hand, it is a free-will choice that some make, although I must admit a great deal of puzzlement at some of the local prominent evangelical Christians - including one well known pastor - that were at attendance at the Woodward Park cage fighting.
And an argument could be made that it attracts the "gang" element. I know that the promoters said they would not allow gangs to attend, but the news media revealed otherwise.
In a public park, they probably have the legal "right" to be there. I’m uncomfortable about restricting access to groups; if the city council starts to restrict various groups for a wide variety of reasons, pressure from advocacy groups might prevail upon them to also restrict groups because of their religious beliefs or their race.
Maybe the answer lies in researching the "original intent" of those that gave the land to the city. They, obviously, intended the land to be used in a specific way; If we know their intentions, it would provide a little guidance for all of us.
Im with rob on this we are going down a slipery slope.
What if a group of people are disgusted at women who do not wear clothes above the ankles, or must wear burkas.
Let's keep Ameriaca wha it's suppose to be FREE.
Also if the City bans them they will sue and win who gets the bill the tax payer. Let the cage fighters beat the hell out of eachother.
To touch on Jackie's comment I was at one of the major hospitals in town and heard a mother go on and on using foul language what are we to do call the foul mouth police to arrest half of America?
I was at the Greek Fest weeks ago and the police copter was buzzing over head, hardly anyone noticed. The police copter is an annoyance at times we have to admit but something we have to deal with. Whats the alternatiive no air support, no "Big Brother?
What if a group of Hell's Angels wants to use the park for their next reunion? Does the city have to let them? How about an adult entertainment event? Slippery slopes can go the other way, too. Can't some reasonable policies be crafted to regulate what sort of activities take place there, without infringing on anyone's constitutional rights?
I don't like cage fighting. My nephews talked me into watching it once and it literally made me cry. However, I agree that to ban it is a slippery slope. The government should stop trying to protect us from ourselves. The solution is I won't be at the park on days that cage fighting is scheduled. Our efforts should be aimed at asking park administrators to use a little more sense when scheduling opposing events... Hey Morgan, good idea but do you mind if I borrow your car?
This was/is a closed venue yes? Those worried about the children at the event should be pointing fingers at the parents who brought them in. I can't see organizers charging for an event at which some people think roving herds of children were just wandering in and watching a fight.
To address TC Morgan, MMA is a highly regulated sport with arguably less deaths than boxing. UFC has a very clearly defined set of rules. 31 different fouls in fact.
The issue here is the poor scheduling of the event.
I just think that it should be in a venue away from families. I do hear bad language just about everywhere but I don't hesitate to request them to watch their mouths in the presence of my children.
Yes Mike(D)... we need more regulations.Let some bureaucrat decide what is appropriate.Big government is the solution to all our problems in your world. T.C.,that's at least the second time you have used the "Mother-in-law over the cliff" analogy.Keep it fresh or we will have to have you regulated.
Brian:
I'm impressed!
You are right, of course.
Brian, you really don't think the government should be regulating what happens on public property? You don't have any rules in your own house, I take it.
You heard it first here....MOI is going to hold a Chippendale Dancers Show in the park......loud music to go with the hope of a 'Full Monty' happening.
Mike(D)...I'll have to check with my wife. Bubby aka MOI...you will make a killing.Capitalism, you gotta love it.
MEN FIGHTING IN CAGES???
Blimey! What a concept!
How about pitbulls fighting in cages?
That would be absolutely unacceptable.
But then again, this is Fresno, a place where one particular radio station USES THE PUBLIC AIRWAYS TO SPREAD THE MOST HATEFUL PROPAGANDA SINCE THE WORLD WAR II AXIS PROPAGANDA MACHINE.
This is the place where during Hurricane Katrina, dogs were rescued and flown on planes to Fresno while people were wading in water or perishing in domes.
A place where 'pseudo-conservative' false 'values' reminiscent of southern plantation values reign -- the masters animals is worth more than his countrymen.
There is no way cage fighting for pitbulls, cats, rats, cows or any sort of animal would be allowed in this valley.
Yet at the same time, people have free will, so those who love the sport will always support or participate in it if its legal.
Sport fighting is a global phenomena particularly in Asia and Africa both regions with a wide variety of martial arts that are indigenous to both areas.
After all, as brutal as it may seem, four martial arts from Africa were brought to the Americas by African war captives (later turned to slaves). They were Capoeira Angola, Head butting art of Angola, Danmye of Martinique, Caribbean, 'slap boxing of the US' kicking and sticking of the US, Mani of Cuba, Tinge of Haiti and 'Kano boxing.'
The old English slave owners and later American slave holders (as well as Spanish slave owners) specifically chose slaves who knew African martial arts to use as 'prize fighters' similar to fighting roosters. CAGE FIGHTING WAS THEN TRUELY CAGE FIGHTING.
They also used Irish and English 'jailbird' and indentured slaves who knew how to box in some of their 'cage shows.'
There are about fifty martial arts spread between continental Africa to the Americas. Africans who knew these arts were the first 'prize fighters' in the US as well as Brazil, where slaveowners used them as entertainment.
Unfortunately for the slave owners of Brazil, it was the Capoeira Angola martial art disguised as a 'dance' that led to the defeat and destruction of some of the plantations in Brazil.
Fresno should GO BEYOND MERE 'CAGE' FIGHTING. How about an international martial arts competition that includes people who know all the world's martial arts systems, including those indigenous arts from Asia, Africa, Europe, India, the Americas, Australia and elsewhere.
http://www.planetcapoeira.com