Protesters and even California Gov. Gavin Newsom targeted Vice President JD Vance as he visited Disneyland with his family this weekend.
Sharing a video of Vance with his family at the Southern California theme park, Newsom wrote, “Hope you enjoy your family time, @JDVance. The families you’re tearing apart certainly won’t,” in a post on X on Saturday.
Some 100 to 150 protesters gathered outside the gates of the “Happiest Place on Earth” to jeer Vance and his family on Friday and Saturday after his presence at the park was reported, according to the Orange County Register.
Protests were also held in Anaheim while the vice president was in Southern California, where a number of immigration raids have taken place in recent months.
On Saturday, a small crowd also gathered at the Grand Californian Hotel, adjacent to the park, where Vance is believed to be staying, KTLA reports.
Some of the protesters waved Mexican flags.
Vance’s visit to Disneyland with his wife, Usha, and at least two of their children is a private visit and not a political one.
The visit came one day after two major ICE raids on farms in Ventura County, with around 200 suspected undocumented immigrants detained by federal agents.
One person died following the raids, while others were critically injured and some are still unaccounted for, Fox 11 reports.
Local Democrats appeared to encourage the protests targeting Vance and his family this weekend.
“I’m offended by the visit, because so many families are being terrorized by the policies from the federal government,” Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, a Democrat, told KTLA on Friday.
However, local Republicans called for dialogue rather than protesting the vice president family.
“I do think it’s an opportunity for us, instead of casting stones, to cast a wider net,” Orange County Republican colleague Don Wagner, told KTLA.
“We’ve had questions about ICE operations in Santa Ana. This could be a chance to engage rather than stay away.”
Vance and his family flew into John Wayne Airport on Friday, when the Second Lady visited Camp Pendleton to read to the children of active duty member of the military, and talk about her summer reading challenge.
Vance’s motorcade, a massive security detail, were seen in the park on Friday.
Video shared on X showed Vance at Disneyland Bayou Country on Saturday morning.
