On Friday, some four years after the Capitol riot, the Republican Club of Laguna Woods hosted Brown at the Village’s Clubhouse 5. Protesters, all residents of the Laguna Woods Village retirement community, according to the Laguna Woods Democratic Club’s president Mary Ribando, expressed disappointment over Trump pardoning those involved in violence on Jan. 6 and said Brown was not welcome.
About 200 protesters outside Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman who just wanted to be identified as Antonia walks thought some of thet 200 protesters outside Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pat Micone, president of the Republican Club of Laguna Woods walks through a protest at Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Republican Club of Laguna Woods held a private event featuring Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event at Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
About 200 protesters stand outside Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Daria Waetjen, center, and Jeanne Lepowsky, right, join about 200 protesters outside Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Joseph Camera, left, argues about Jan. 6 with a protester outside Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People enter a Republican event as protesters standby at Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pat Micone, president of the Republican Club of Laguna Woods walks through a protest at Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bernie, the dog, joins about 200 protesters outside Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman enters a Republican event as protesters standby at Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman puts a sign in the face of Joseph Camera as he argues about Jan. 6 during a protest at Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pat Micone, president of the Republican Club of Laguna Woods walks through a protest at Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Andrew Dzida, left, joins about 200 protesters at Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
1 of 14
About 200 protesters outside Clubhouse 5 in Laguna Woods, CA, on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Laguna Woods Democratic Club protested the Republican Club of Laguna Woods’ decision to invite Jeffrey Scott Brown, a Jan. 6 rioter convicted for attacking police, for a paid speaking event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Among the protesters on Friday was Andrew Dzida, who said he was motivated to come out after feeling first disappointed by the Jan. 6 riot itself and then by Trump’s decision to pardon everyone, including those who engaged in violence.
Dzida, 77, held a sign that read, “January 6: What would Jesus have done?”
“Whatever Jesus would’ve done, it would not be this, it seems to me. Jesus would not have been involved in that riot, he would not have threatened the lives of so many people,” said Dzida.
Other signs held by the protesters — who lined up outside the entrance of Clubhouse 5 in the Village, where the Republican club hosted Brown — read “Hate has no home here,” “Shame on you,” and “We back the blue.”
According to court records, security camera footage and a YouTube video captured Brown using pepper spray at Capitol and Metropolitan police officers. In the video, Brown is seen at the Lower West Terrace entrance, using his body to push the crowd forward and spraying an officer whose gas mask had been torn off his face.
“The violent criminals who stormed our Capitol and assaulted our democracy on Jan. 6 … should be vilified, not glorified,” said Susan Denenholz, 72.
At times, protesters broke into singing “God Bless America.”
Three members of the Republican Club of Laguna Woods stood near the main entrance to welcome attendees but declined to speak with the press. Several police officers walked around to make sure the situation was under control.
Efforts to reach Brown ahead of the event went unreturned.
About half an hour into the protest, a shouting match broke out between some of the protesters and Joseph Camera, a self-described Republican and 11-year resident of Laguna Woods Village.
Camera held a sign that read, “Learn the truth J6 = false flag” and moved through the crowd, saying, “Educate yourselves. Every American needs to know.” He said he was exercising his right to free speech and argued Brown should be allowed to do the same.
“He was charged, served his time and has a story to tell. Maybe he’s going to say, ‘I made a terrible mistake, I shouldn’t have done it,’” said Camera, 63. “At least hear the guy. Don’t try to shut him down.”
Sign up for Down Ballot, our Southern California politics email newsletter. Subscribe here.
But James Ramaker, 67, said he’s against “felons being promoted as heroes.”
“It’s so encouraging to see this kind of response from our fellow residents here at the Village,” said Jim Quigley, 77, standing next to Ramaker. “For every single person here, you can imagine there are at least 10 who would’ve said, ‘Oh, I’m glad you’re there, I would’ve come if I could’ve.’”
Meanwhile, the Friday luncheon was open only to club members and their guests, though club president Pat Micone said a video recording might be available later.
“We have chosen to keep this event private. We look forward to hearing our speaker’s story,” Micone said Thursday.
