Dozens rally against hate on SLO County highway overpass in response to ‘white pride’ banner
More than 100 people stood on the sides of a Highway 101 overpass in Templeton on a sunny Wednesday afternoon to rally against hate.
They held rainbow flags and signs pushing for acceptance as they urged drivers to honk their horns in solidarity.
The Rally Against Hate event came about a week after two unidentified men held up a banner reading “Embrace white pride” sign on the Vineyard Drive overpass.
That didn’t sit right with Eric Alcosiba-Bergmann, who has lived in northern San Luis Obispo County for about three years.
He organized Wednesday’s Rally Against Hate event with Little Queer Paso, a Paso Robles-based group of LGBTQ+ community members and allies.
“We decided as individuals that that’s not acceptable in our community and that we will speak out against it,” Alcosiba-Bergmann told The Tribune. “That is not North County. That is not San Luis Obispo County or Templeton, Atascadero or Paso Robles. We are (the) county of love (and) community support.”
He noted that North County has a reputation of being a less tolerant part of SLO County, and he wants to help break that stigma.
Speaking about the strong turnout for Wednesday’s rally, Alcosiba-Bergmann said, “It makes me feel very proud.”
“As a community, we’re all there for each other,” he said. “It’s really great to see this happen and the best part is it’s not political. It’s just love.”
Templeton resident Susana López told the Tribune the white pride sign broke her heart.
She said she has two young daughters who have faced racism in the county.
López said she attended the rally because she wants to show them — and everyone in SLO County — that diversity is beautiful and should be celebrated.
“It feels really kind of healing to to see so many of our own community of the North County (come out in) support,” López said.
Paso Robles resident Elena Garcia, who also attended Wednesday’s rally, said she was a bit worried about safety — particularly shootings and people using their vehicles as weapons.
It’s unfortunate that she has to even consider those safety concerns, Garcia said, but she decided she needed to make her voice heard.
“When you’re brave, it gives other people that bravery,” Garcia said. “We are here to take a stand for community members, to show that everybody is welcome here in North County, in San Luis Obispo County and to make sure people aren’t afraid to come out here and take a stand with us.”
She said hate tends to be loud, but that sound is drowned out by the people who want love, inclusivity and acceptance in the community.
Garcia said people in North County tend to think people like her and the other rally attendees are newcomers to the area, but that’s not true.
For Garcia, North County is home. She grew up in Paso Robles; it’s where she attended high school, and it’s where she plans to stay.
“We’re not taking over. We have always been here,” she said. “We’re just now feeling more comfortable to be loud and proud.”
This story was originally published May 10, 2023 at 6:18 PM.
