Copyright Santa Clarita Valley Signal
“We are not just Republicans. We are defenders of liberty.” That is what Dr. Harleen Grewal, a local dentist and political activist, said to the approximately 100 people attending the “Patriots in the Park” event at Circle J Ranch Park on Sunday afternoon. Sunday’s event brought together different conservative organizations for attendees to gain information, including Turning Point USA’s Saugus High School Chapter, Moms of Liberty and booths for conservative candidates like Denise Lite, who is running for Santa Clarita Valley City Council in 2026, and Oscar Martinez, who is running for Los Angeles County sheriff to replace current Sheriff Robert Luna. Pastor Jerry Cook of Freedom’s Way Baptist Church kicked off the event with a prayer before announcing each speaker. Lite used her speech to speak about Proposition 50 and why SCV residents need to vote no. Proposition 50 is a legislative constitutional amendment that would temporarily replace congressional district maps drawn by the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission that will appear on the Nov. 4 special election ballot, according to the website. “They say it’s temporary. No good bill or policy by Democrats has ever been temporary. The rhetoric from them is predictable, stop (President Donald) Trump, stop fascism, stop racism. But only in California, does the logic, ‘gerrymandering is bad, so we have to do more gerrymandering,’ work. You can be assured that if cities like San Francisco are backing Prop. 50, it’s no good,” Lite said. Breanne DeMack, organizer of Patriots in the Park, said that the event was designed to help residents know about certain organizations to volunteer with. “The purpose of the event is just to get people locally activated and knowing that there are different organizations within Santa Clarita for them to take part, whether it’s volunteering or donating or whatever it is they want to do. Knocking on doors, there’s a place for them to have a home,” DeMack said at Sunday’s event. In a follow-up statement on Monday morning, DeMack wanted to emphasize what the event was for. “And just to clear up the misinformation floating around on social media, this event had nothing to do with the No Kings protest or President Trump. It was a completely local, grassroots effort focused on connecting our community and helping people find a place to get involved,” DeMack’s written statement said. During the warm Sunday afternoon, attendees were cheering and listening to each speaker talk about different issues. One couple who attended, Billy and David Hopper, said it was their first time attending an event like this and be surrounded by people who share their similar beliefs. “I got tired of seeing how policies and people are treating kids in California, and how it’s just so wrong. And I want to be around people that are doing something to change that,” David said. “Because I don’t agree with liberals and I don’t agree with Democrats on how they do things. I don’t think it’s right. And I believe in doing things in a peaceful way where everybody has a common ground and understanding. That’s why I’m here.” Billy echoed her husband’s sentiment about children in California and a bill recently signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Bill 495. “He’s (Newsom) just thinking to open for people to traffic kids or kidnap them and sell them, or whatever he’s doing, is awful. It’s the most horrible thing I’ve ever heard. How he even started that deal is beyond me,” Billy said. David added that being at the event made him feel safe being around everyone. Martha Aguilera, one of the speakers, said that she took a break from politics to focus on herself and her kids before coming back to it. “I guess in a nutshell, the reason I came today is because I think it’s important that we understand that we are an American people. We are Democrats and Republicans, and we want the common good,” Aguilera said. “And I am confident that when I go to the school board meetings, I’m on the other side of the aisle from someone, those people are there for the same reason I am. They’re there because we care about our kids, all of us.” Aguilera added that people need to find other ways to communicate other than calling people “fascists, bigots or groomers.” “Just say, ‘Hey, like, I want to defend my right to my Constitution. I wanted to defend my right to speak my mind. I want to defend my right to know what’s going on with my own child and not have blanket policies that say you’re allowed to keep those secrets,’ and I think that it starts at the ballot box,” Aguilera said.
