Quick Take
Last weekend, a pickup truck belonging to a supporter of President Donald Trump was reported heavily vandalized outside an auto repair shop in Live Oak. Local conservatives say they are tired of being harassed for holding an opposing view in Santa Cruz County.
In deep blue Santa Cruz County, a local group of conservatives and supporters of President Donald Trump have cried foul after a red pickup truck bearing a pro-Trump window decal was vandalized over Valentine’s Day weekend.
According to sheriff’s spokesperson Ashley Keehn, the red Chevy Silverado was dropped off to get serviced at Santa Cruz Tire & Auto along Soquel Avenue in Live Oak last Friday, Feb. 14.
Keehn said the car’s owner, whom Lookout was unable to reach, reported that the vehicle was vandalized overnight.
According to photos shared with Lookout by local conservative organization Santa Cruz County Patriots, the car’s tires were slashed, windows and headlights smashed, with “F–k Trump” and an anarchist symbol scrawled along the truck’s broad sides with what appears to be silver spray paint.
On Monday, Presidents Day, a group of about 20 people gathered at the corner of Soquel Avenue and Soquel Drive, near where the reported incident occurred, to wave pro-Trump flags and signage, in support of the truck’s owner and the 45th and 47th president.
Since Trump’s first election, his supporters have endured “a lot of hate,” said Marilyn, a member of the Santa Cruz County Patriots who offered only her first name as she stood roadside with the group on Monday.
“We’re supposed to be living in America, and we should be able to have a difference of opinion and we should be able to vote for who we want to vote for without fear of being physically hurt or losing family or friends,” Marilyn said. “A lot of people are still in fear and won’t come out, so we decided to come out and do something to show people that there’s others who feel the same as you in Santa Cruz County, and we shouldn’t be afraid.”
As Marilyn spoke with a Lookout reporter on Monday, passersby yelled profanities at the group and, at one point, someone threw a drink at the group as they drove by.
Brandi Lane, a Trump supporter from Santa Cruz, stood waving a Trump flag on Monday, and said the vandalism “was not right, at all.”
“We’re just trying to bring attention to what happened and show that it’s not OK,” Lane said.
Keehn said the sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the office at 831-471-1121.
– Kevin Painchaud contributed to this report.
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