How Ventura County Turned Hate into a Pride Celebration in 72 Hours
A Blueprint for LGBTQ+ Resistance and Grassroots Power
Correction: The original version of this article referenced “SoCal’s LGBTQ+ network.” This has been updated to accurately reflect the involvement of 50501 SoCal (LA Region).
Updated: June 1, 2025
As Pride Month dawns, Ventura County stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. In a remarkable display of unity, local activists and community members swiftly mobilized to cancel a hate group's event, turning a potential platform for division into a celebration of “inclusivity”—a term that, while increasingly contentious in some circles, remains a core value here.
Limón y Sal, a beloved Mexican restaurant in downtown Ventura, had been booked to host an event sponsored by the local GOP and featuring a speaker from Moms for America, an organization designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as an anti-government extremist group for promoting anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. The SPLC is a nationally recognized civil rights watchdog known for tracking extremist organizations and informing both the public and law enforcement—making this designation particularly significant.
But the hate didn’t go unanswered.
What happened next is a masterclass in grassroots power, digital solidarity, and rapid-response organizing. And it all unfolded in just 72 hours.
Friday: We Found Out / Mobilization
On Friday afternoon, a flyer began circulating online. It showed a confident speaker, a rooftop restaurant venue, and an open invitation to attendees aligned with anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. The target? Our trans youth. The timing? Days before Pride Month.
Within hours, a coalition of local organizers — 50501 Ventura County, including the Trans-Sanctuary team, 50501 SoCal, Indivisible Ventura, and Justice for All Ventura County— swung into action. Recognizing the power of both online and offline pressure, and with guidance from experienced activists, including the head of security for SoCal 50501 (LA Region), the coalition launched a comprehensive campaign. Phone calls were made to the restaurant. Flyers were posted on Reddit. Screenshots were shared. Hundreds began commenting and leaving public reviews online.
We weren’t just opposing an event. We were defending our right to exist safely — loudly, publicly, and unapologetically.
Saturday: We Escalated
By Saturday morning, the pressure had gone viral. The head of security for SoCal’s 50501 provided tactical support, and allies began preparing to mobilize people for an in-person protest at the restaurant on Wednesday, May 28th.
Meanwhile, we showed the restaurant owner what was at stake — not just ethically, but reputationally. Google reviews flooded in. Reddit threads exploded. Community pages buzzed..
Sunday: We Won
The collective efforts bore fruit. Limón y Sal publicly announced the cancellation of the event, aligning themselves with the values of inclusivity and respect. The restaurant's decision was met with widespread appreciation, with many community members expressing gratitude for their stand against hate.
In a Facebook post, Justice for All Ventura County commended the restaurant:
"Ventura shows up for love. Community thank you to Limón y Sal—they stood up against hate." — Justice for All Ventura County
In another post, a Reddit user expressed the community's sentiment succinctly:
"Proud of my town for shutting down Moms for America. No hate in Ventura County." — Reddit User r/IronFrontUSA
This wasn’t a single victory. This was a sustained defense of our community. And we weren’t just done — we were ready to celebrate.
The flyer, once a symbol of division, now bore a bold red stamp: CANCELED.
Wednesday: We Reclaimed the Space
What was intended as a protest transformed into a celebration. On Wednesday evening, community members gathered at Limón y Sal, not to oppose hate, but to celebrate love, unity, and the power of collective action.
This was more than symbolism. It was transformation. It was a real-life reminder that community pressure — when fast, strategic, and loud — works.
Vigilance Continues
Despite the victory, the community remains vigilant. Organizers continue to monitor for any attempts by hate groups to reschedule or relocate their events. The message is clear: Ventura County stands united against hate, ready to respond swiftly and decisively.
Grassroots Power: How We Fought—and Won
The events in Ventura County are more than a local success—they’re a blueprint for rapid, effective grassroots resistance. In just 72 hours, digital organizing, coalition strength, and principled partnerships turned a hate group event into a Pride celebration.
Here’s what made it work:
Speed: Action began within hours of discovering the event.
Visibility: Reddit, Google Reviews, and social media amplified the outcry.
Coalition Power: Groups like 50501, Indivisible, Justice for All, and the Trans-Sanctuary team quickly activated networks.
Courage: The restaurant owner, when faced with facts and public pressure, chose community over hate.
Strategy: The response mirrored key principles outlined in the SPLC’s Ten Ways to Fight Hate—including acting quickly, forming coalitions, and pressuring institutions to stand against hate.
Zeynep Tufekci, in her book Twitter and Tear Gas, describes how networked protest reshapes social movements through digital and physical convergence. Likewise, Sasha Costanza-Chock’s Design Justice emphasizes how grassroots actions can transform public space into vehicles for collective liberation. That’s exactly what happened here.
This wasn’t just protest—it was transformation. It took organizers, neighbors, digital advocates, and even business owners. Together, they formed a united front that stopped hate in its tracks and reimagined what solidarity can look like—fast, focused, and fearless.
Call to Action: Let Ventura County Be a Model
As Pride Month begins, let Ventura County be both a rallying cry and a reminder: when hate shows up, we show up louder.
This is your invitation—and your template.
Join and Support LGBTQ+ Advocacy Organizations: Connect with local groups like the Trans-Sanctuary team, 50501, Indivisible, or Justice for All. Their impact grows with every volunteer, every donor, every ally.
Participate in Pride Events: Visibility is power. Show your support by attending Pride events, marches, or local celebrations.
Stand Against Hate: Speak out when you see discrimination. From online forums to neighborhood meetings, your voice helps drown out hate.
Educate and Engage: Learn about the history and current realities of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric—especially the harms facing trans youth—and share that knowledge with others.
Report Hate Incidents: Be vigilant. If you witness or experience acts of hate, report them to the proper authorities and community support organizations.
Promote Inclusive Spaces: Help create and defend spaces—online and off—where all people can feel safe, affirmed, and valued.
We out-organized hate in 72 hours. Let’s do it again—and again.
Because when hate tries to take root, our love shows up faster.
This wasn’t just a local victory. It’s a vivid reminder that community-led action can be a national model—especially in times when public spaces and queer lives are under coordinated attack.
About:
This newsletter reflects the work of 50501 CA contributors and was published on our official Substack. As with all our content, names have been omitted in alignment with our decentralized organizing model and safety considerations.
Editor’s Note:
While early social media responses and some reports mistakenly referred to the organization involved as Moms for Liberty, the event speaker was in fact from Moms for America. Both are distinct organizations that have been designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center for promoting anti-LGBTQ+ or extremist rhetoric.
Together, we defend what they’re trying to erase. — 50501 CA
Share this newsletter with others who value democracy.
Join us in this marathon for democracy. Find local 50501 CA events and resources at our Linktree.
References:
Southern Poverty Law Center. Moms for America. SPLC Hatewatch, 2024. https://moms-for-america.prowly.com/325471-splc-lists-moms-for-america-as-a-hate-groupagain. Accessed 31 May 2025.
Tufekci, Zeynep. Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest. Yale University Press, 2017.
Costanza-Chock, Sasha. Design Justice: Community-Led Practices to Build the Worlds We Need. MIT Press, 2020.
Reddit user u/OneOwlNation. “Proud of my town for shutting down Moms for America. No hate in Ventura County.” Reddit, 26 May 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/goodnews/comments/1kvyyhv/proud_of_this_town_for_shutting_down_moms_for/. Accessed 31 May 2025.
Justice for All Ventura County. “Ventura shows up for love. Community thank you to Limón y Sal—they stood up against hate.” Facebook, 26 May 2025, https://www.facebook.com/61573424111184/posts/-ventura-shows-up-for-love-community-thank-you-to-lim%C3%B3n-y-sal-they-stood-up-agai/. Accessed 31 May 2025.