Dueling protests: First Amendment on display

As gun control advocates demonstrated on one corner of Tucker Rd. and Valley Blvd. on Sat., March 24, local 2nd Amendment supporters waved flags and signs on the opposite corner. They are members of the Three Percenters organization, named after the three percent of the British colonists in North America who took up arms at any given time against the Crown during the Revolutionary War. From left, Jeannie Gallegos, 21; Matt True, 42; Austin Brown, 23 (hidden, holding Gasden flag); Bobby McDaniels, 30; and Angela Barton, 39 (holding sign). Drivers offered waves, thumbs up or down, honks and shouted remarks, pro and con.

Tehachapi students joined a street protest advocating stricter gun laws on Sat., March 24 at the intersection of Tucker Rd. and Valley Blvd. Passersby offered thumbs up or thumbs down, honks and a variety of comments. From left to right, Aleah Sigala, 20, Bakersfield College; Ashley Alcaraz, 17, Tehachapi High School senior; Zachary Finch, 17, THS senior and P.J. McBroom, 18, THS graduate. They were part of a number of nationwide marches and demonstrations triggered by the recent deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida. A group of older demonstrators were on the site earlier along with the students.