Bill Cosby Given Warm Reception In Turlock Despite Looming Sex-Assault Claims
TURLOCK (CBS13) – Bill Cosby was greeted inside the Turlock Community Theatre with applause and cheers from a packed auditorium.
But outside it was no laughing matter.
"I believe strongly that this whole situation is a testament to how women have been treated," said protester Souzzett Sims.
Sims was the only protester to show up and remained undeterred with a sign reading "I believe the women."
"I knew this was gonna happen. I told people I would be the only one out here today," Sims said.
At a Cosby performance in Denver Saturday night, a large crowd of protesters chanted "Rape is not a joke," and "No means no!"
But fans in Turlock heard none of it. Some, like Cosby fan from Modesto Wilda Hansen, said they would back up their favorite comedian as long as he hasn't been charged or proven guilty of anything.
"Nothing's proven. It has not changed my opinion of him at all," Hansen said.
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Not everyone who bought tickets agree. The performance was scheduled before the spate of allegations against Cosby became public, and the theater refused to return tickets to those who changed their minds.
If they didn't sell on eBay or Craigslist, they sold outside the theater for $85 a ticket.
"We've seen sellouts just about every concert," said theater usher Ruth Cunningham.
Over the years, Cosby has performed a few times in Stanislaus County and even gave the commencement speech at a local college over a decade ago.
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"I saw him at the university and other towns where we've lived," Cunningham said.
But this time, security and police stood on guard on all sides of the building as Cosby went on inside, with no disruptions – and no references to the 15-plus women accusing him of drugging and assaulting them.
"I wouldn't miss this show for anything," Wilda said.