In a repeat of incidents seen up and down the West Coast during the coronavirus pandemic, anti-mask protesters returned to a familiar spot in picketing outside of the Trader Joe’s in downtown Santa Cruz on Sunday.
Armed with signs that read "Maskless Lives Matter" and "Enforce Love," the group stopped outside the store, but did not gain access as they had during a Valentine’s Day protest, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel. One sign reportedly showed symbols of a circle-slash over a swastika.
A line of Trader Joe’s employees actually stopped them from entering the store while masked shoppers were allowed to continue entering.
The paper reported the group mocked masked shoppers going into the store, with one protester even asking a patron if she "was wearing a jockstrap on her face."
Police were present, but did not get involved in the protest Sunday.
Videos posted to YouTube showing previous Santa Cruz protests staged by the group have been viewed thousands of times. Protesters can be seen parading through the same Trader Joe's, removing food from the shelves and leaving cash at registers as cashiers refused to help them.
According to Santa Cruz County guidelines, officers are able to issue citations for not wearing masks in public. Fines escalate per each offense up to $500.
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