Photographer Films Woman's Racist Rant at Laguna Beach Engagement Shoot

Trinity Lugo, of Trinity Films, was waiting at Crescent Bay Point Park in Laguna Beach, California, for a couple to arrive for a proposal when a woman confronted her and a second photographer about their presence. Lugo recorded the encounter on her Meta smart glasses. The woman, later nicknamed "Proposal Karen" online, claimed the park is meant for local residents' picnics and that events are not permitted on the grass, and said she had called the police to shut the proposal down. When the couple approached, Lugo asked the woman to be quiet so the surprise would not be spoiled; a mariachi band then began to play and the confrontation escalated, with the woman telling the photographers to "go back to Mexico." Lugo, whose sister Hayley was the person being proposed to, told ABC 7 she could not believe the words were directed at her. Hayley said the remarks hurt because they targeted Mexican and Hispanic culture broadly. CBS LA reported that local residents have raised concerns that engagements at the park have been getting out of hand over the past year. The City of Laguna Beach Parks and Rec Department stated that professional photographers need a permit to shoot at Point Crescent for pre-planned sessions, while rejecting hateful language and behavior as contrary to the community's values. The woman drew widespread criticism on social media, including from Instagram user @robbiebobby17.