A planned proposal in Laguna Beach's picturesque Crescent Bay Point Park recently turned sour when a woman confronted the party with racist remarks, a moment captured on video that has since garnered more than 10.8 million views on Instagram.
Emmanuel Banuelos had carefully arranged the setting, which included white roses, candles, and a mariachi band to play his girlfriend’s favorite music. His soon-to-be sister-in-law, Trinity Lugos, was enlisted to film the event. The group had gathered overlooking the ocean on a Friday evening.
However, their plans did not account for an encounter with an unnamed woman walking her dog. According to Trinity Lugos, the woman approached her while she was setting up equipment. In the recording, the woman can be heard stating that the park was intended for local residents to enjoy and claimed she had called the police because the event lacked a permit.
The situation escalated as the mariachi music began to play and the couple approached the prepared display. Moments before Banuelos knelt to propose, the woman yelled for the individuals to "Go back to Mexico!", among other expletives.
The unexpected confrontation deeply affected the couple. Banuelos' fiancée, Hayley Lugos, expressed her sadness over the persistent presence of hate and racism. She stated her heart sank upon hearing the remarks, leaving her distraught. Banuelos himself described the encounter as incredibly shocking and profoundly offensive, noting that with his "very deep Mexican roots," such comments were particularly hurtful.
Trinity Lugos decided to post the recording online, believing there should be accountability for the comments. She did not anticipate the video would be viewed millions of times. Hayley Lugos welcomed the video's virality, hoping it would convey a message that racism will not be tolerated. She described it as a “blessing for it to be brought to light,” showing that such actions are no longer acceptable.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for the city of Laguna Beach affirmed the city's rejection of all forms of hateful language and behavior. The spokesperson stated that Laguna Beach's parks and beaches are open to everyone and frequently serve as backdrops for celebratory milestones. However, they also noted that pre-planned setups and professional photography require specific rules and permit adherence, and proposals involving setups and structures are not permitted.
The city spokesperson did not specifically address whether Banuelos' proposal violated these rules. Banuelos, for his part, did not believe he needed a professional photography permit since his videographer was a family member, and the event did not involve amplified sound or temporary structures. Trinity Lugos confirmed that the entire setup, proposal, and cleanup took less than an hour.
The Laguna Beach Police Department did not provide a comment regarding whether they received a call for service concerning the engagement event.
Despite the unsettling interruption, the couple confirmed they were still able to enjoy their special moment. Following the proposal, they returned home to Ontario, where Banuelos had arranged a surprise engagement party.
