There have been numerous attempts to discourage a Los Alamitos resident from showing her support for President Barack Obama in this year’s campaign. Those attempts have not only failed, but caused Jennifer Drudge to strengthen her resolve.
There have been numerous attempts to discourage a Los Alamitos resident from showing her support for President Barack Obama in this year’s campaign. Those attempts have not only failed, but caused Jennifer Drudge to strengthen her resolve.
Drudge is organizing a pro-Obama unity rally on Thursday at Laurel Park. The event is intended to unite area residents who support re-electing the president, but also to promote a more respectful campaign season.
Drudge said that six times in the past few weeks, yard signs in front of her house supporting Obama, Alan Lowenthal and No on Proposition 32, have been vandalized. Each time she repaired or replaced signs, vandals returned to crumple, tear, or deface them again. It has left Drudge disappointed with the disrespect some have for her fundamental freedom of speech rights.
“I would never ever be that disrespectful, even if I don’t agree with someone else’s politics,” Drudge said.
Drudge has lived in Los Alamitos for six years with her boyfriend Steven Snyder and her daughter Isabella. She is an ER Tech at a Long Beach hospital and involved in working with her union. She makes no secret of her political support, but would expect others to respect her right to support the people and causes she believes in.
One of her Pro Obama signs was crumpled up, while a ‘No on 32’ sign was torn down from the fence in front of her house. Another Obama sign had a Romney sticker pasted onto it. In the latest attack on her home, vandals also ripped down Halloween decorations from her front gate, she said. Drudge finally filed a police report, but decided to finally push back, after being pushed to her emotional limit.
“It’s just really disheartening,” Drudge said.
Drudge not only wants to show support for Obama with the rally at the park, but seeks out other supporters to bring unity to their causes and keep an eye out for each other. Drudge contacted the offices of Lowenthal, as well as labor unions and the Orange County Democrats Club. The rally will take place at Laurel Park, at 10862 Bloomfield Ave., on Thursday, Oct. 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
