A viewing party in a Watsonville restaurant Tuesday night for President Donald Trump’s public address drew public attention, with more than 100 Trump supporters gathering inside for the private event, and dozens gathering outside for a counter-protest.
The event in Ella’s at the Airport was organized by Santa Cruz County Patriots.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a group member said that she wanted to hear what Trump was going to say about transgender issues and immigration, both issues on which the President has taken a hardline stance, and with which she said many supporters agree.
The group member said that she supported the protestors rights to assemble, as long as they stayed within the bounds of the law.
She added that Trump supporters have been subjected to bullying, intimidation and vandalism for their beliefs, and pointed to an incident on Feb. 15, in which someone used spray paint to vandalize a pickup bearing a “Trump 2024” sticker.
“We all have the right to hold those signs and hold those flags and let our voices be heard,” she said. “But when you cross the line and you’re not doing it legally or hurting someone or their property, that’s not okay.”
The front door of the restaurant was locked due to safety concerns, and attendees checked in at a table in the rear, with a security guard standing at the door.
“Trumpers have had to stay in and be very alone,” she said. “So to be somewhere that you’re allowed to be okay for the politician you vote for is a very big deal.”
The group will “absolutely” hold similar events, she added.
Ella’s at the Airport appeared to be suffering blowback from the community, with several people leaving negative online reviews before the website Yelp paused all commenting.
The Pajaronian has reached out to the restaurant owner for comment.
While there were five Watsonville Police officers stationed nearby to keep the peace, there were no reported incidents of violence, spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said.
One man in a large white pickup drove by several times shouting pro-Trump slogans, which elicited some back-and-forth shouting.
In front of the business, Santa Cruz Diversity Center member Maurice Carrillo expressed disappointment that Ella’s allowed the event.
He has attended several events there, and the restaurant catered his 80th birthday party. But he said he will no longer patronize the business.
He explained that many of the people attending the watch party likely held stances in opposition to LGBTQ people.
“We think there is so much hate on that side against who we are that we have to show up and speak up, because if we don’t, who’s going to speak for us?” he said.
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts student Julian Conaccio, 8, said he is worried that Trump’s anti-immigration policies will mean his friends will be deported.
“I am here today so I can continue the legacy of my ancestors to protect our USA from Trump,” he said. “I am very scared that he is going to do some terrible things to my town.”
Eileen Cark-Nagaoka of Watsonville said is concerned about the U.S. aligning with Russia instead of the Western Alliance and the United Nations.
“I am here because I feel like so many horrible things are happening to our country and I just want the people who are supporting Trump to be confronted with the pain they are causing and of the things that are being turned on their head in our country,” she said. “It just astounds me that our alliances have shifted and we didn’t vote for that. And add to that all of the gutting of federal programs.”
Nora Yerena, founder and director of Raíces y Cariño in Watsonville, said her organization received a letter from the Trump administration to stop using the words “equity” and “gender,” not to mention environmental justice and to eliminate entirely the word “justice.” The nonprofit also cannot mention immigration support and cannot work with anyone that was undocumented.
The directive from the federal office that funds the group was what drew Yerena to the protest.
“These guys don’t belong here,” he said. “This being proud to support this hatred is really disgusting, and it doesn’t belong here.”
Fact- 100 Pro Trump supporters have the power, to bring down a business that is because this town has little tolerance for what the orange man stands for. So the owner really needs to think long and hard about his/her next decision. No bueno.