Police break segregation at Orange County Republican meeting – Orange County Register

Police were called in to intervene after a group of conservatives wearing orange shirts saying “RINO Hunters”, with cross chairs as targets of the letter “O”, attempted to storm a meeting. of the Republican Party in Orange County in Costa Mesa on Monday night.

The group is led by Nick Taurus, a self-proclaimed American nationalist who led a protest last year at a town hall for Representative Katie Porter, D-Irvine, that become violent. After being provoked by Taurus’ group, a supporter of Porter threw a punch and was arrested.

Taurus, R-Laguna Hills, is currently challenging GOP Representative Young Kim in the CA-40 House race. He labeled Kim, who was confirmed by the OCGOP as RINO, a derogatory name the far right uses for more moderate politicians who they consider “only in the name of Republicans”.

The clash reflects growing divisions within the Republican party, leaving those trying to elect GOP candidates in purple areas like Orange County and those on the far right, who remain fierce loyalty to former President Donald Trump.

The party said on January 12 that due to the rise of the coronavirus attendance at the OCGOP meeting Monday night – intended to confirm candidates for the 2022 election cycle – would be limited to Committee members Central due to the increase in coronavirus.

“There are significant endorsement requirements that must be voted on, but we have seen a spike in covid cases throughout Orange County,” the announcement said. “It is important that we as a party take care of the business, but we also have to take care of ourselves and each other.”

But some local Republicans disagreed with that decision.

Photos and videos shared on social media showed several dozen people wearing orange RINO shirts in the lobby of the building where the meeting was being held. A witness told Register that a member tried to push past people at the door, grabbing the handle to get inside. Police were then seen directing protesters outside, while others were waved and allowed into the meeting room.

Outside, Taurus is seen in the videos, wearing the “make America great again” hat, arguing with GOP Latino activist Jesse Suave over amnesty for undocumented immigrants . Supporters of Taurus and Suave engaged in verbal clashes, with shouts to “back support” and saying “what are you going to do?”

Costa Mesa police said they were called to the meeting at 6:39 p.m. Monday due to reports that a group of about 20 protesters had refused to leave a “private political meeting,” according to spokeswoman Roxi. Fyad. Officers contacted the protesters, asking them to bring it to the sidewalk, and they complied, Fyad said.

No one was detained, she said, and police were not aware of any physical alterations.

A county GOP spokesperson issued a written statement that included this:

“The Costa Mesa Police Department was called in as (a) the group continued to disrupt our meeting and the business of the venue.

“As a party, we welcome a healthy debate about ideas. That cannot happen the way these individuals conduct themselves. The safety of members, guests and employees is of paramount importance to our organization. ”

Taurus has participated in many protests that have turned serious in the past, including free speech protests in Cal State Fullerton and Orange Coast College in 2017. Videos that went viral on social media also showed him interrupting the 2020 racial justice rally in Yorba Linda. In that video, he is seen stealing and ripping off someone’s Black Lives Matter sign. His social media posts conspiracy theories about the Clintons, “gay mafia” and “anti-white racism”.

Following the Porter town hall incident, Taurus said in an Instagram live video that someone from the Republican Party of Orange County sent his team an invitation to attend the Democratic town hall. and “press” Porter on what she’s doing to help the 45th East OC. District. Now, Taurus says on social media that his group is being shut down by the same party.

Brian Burley, the OCGOP Central Committee member who is fighting Porter in the new 47th District, said the crowd was loud but calm as he entered the meeting. He said he never had any safety concerns and everyone was gone by the time he left at 9:45pm

Burley asked Party Chairman Fred Whitaker in a public letter on January 5 to postpone the confirmation meeting later. death by party leader Kelly Ernby. He clashed with Whitaker in the previous election cycle, when he faced off against Michelle Steel in the CA-48 race, over the party’s early endorsement of the establishment candidates.

Ernby had planned to run for the 72nd District before his death in the first day of this month from COVID-19. On Monday night, OCGOP confirmed Diane Dixon for this chair.

Staff writer Eric Licas contributed to this report.