Gov. Newsom, protesters target JD Vance with his family as they visit Disneyland

Protesters and California Governor Gavin Newsom targeted Vice President JD Vance during his visit to Disneyland with his family over the weekend. Newsom took to social media to share a video of Vance at the theme park, expressing his disapproval of Vance’s presence and the impact of his policies on families. The post received attention and sparked protests outside the gates of Disneyland, where around 100 to 150 demonstrators gathered to voice their opposition to Vance and his family.

The protests extended to Anaheim, where Vance was in Southern California, an area that has seen a rise in immigration raids. Additionally, a small crowd gathered at the Grand Californian Hotel, where Vance was believed to be staying, waving Mexican flags in protest. Despite the backlash, Vance’s visit to Disneyland was a private family trip and not a political one.

The visit coincided with recent ICE raids on farms in Ventura County, resulting in the detention of approximately 200 suspected undocumented immigrants. Tragically, one person lost their life during the raids, and others sustained critical injuries, with some individuals still unaccounted for. As tensions rose over the raids, local Democrats condemned Vance’s visit, citing the impact of federal policies on families. In contrast, local Republicans called for dialogue rather than protests, advocating for engagement with the vice president.

Vance and his family arrived at John Wayne Airport on Friday, with the Second Lady visiting Camp Pendleton to engage with the children of active-duty military members for a summer reading challenge. The Vice President’s motorcade and security detail were visible at Disneyland during their visit, with footage showing Vance enjoying the park on Saturday morning.

Despite the controversy surrounding Vance’s visit, the family-focused trip to Disneyland was marred by protests and political tensions. The clash between supporters and opponents of Vance’s policies underscored the deep divide on immigration and federal government actions in Southern California. The Vice President’s visit served as a flashpoint for opposing viewpoints, highlighting the ongoing debate on immigration enforcement and family separation policies.