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Mission Viejo public commenters clash over July Costa Del Sol protest; residents defend sheriff's response
Summary
Several Mission Viejo residents addressed a July 20 protest at Costa Del Sol, with some describing the crowd as peaceful and thanking sheriff deputies, and others urging concern over inviting a convicted January 6 participant. Comments included both criticism of earlier council testimony and defenses of law enforcement presence.
A series of public commenters described separate perspectives on a July 20 protest at Costa Del Sol and the county sheriff’s response. Rich Pulliam told the council he spoke with deputies and found their conduct professional, disputing earlier speakers who said deputies failed to protect meeting attendees; Pulliam described protesters as loud but nonviolent and said some props (a labeled can and a gas-mask souvenir) were theatrical, not weapons.
Peggy O’Neil and Carolyn Gatto, who said they were eyewitnesses, said they peacefully protested the invited speaker—a convicted participant in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol—and stood a few feet from deputies; Gatto said deputies answered questions and remained professional. O’Neil said the protest included singing, chants and respectful interaction. The exchange underscored differing resident perceptions about safety and appropriate police response: Pulliam criticized earlier public comments about the sheriff, while O’Neil and Gatto stressed they were peaceful protesters who appreciated deputy presence. Council took no formal action on the matter during the meeting.
