Laguna Unity Ribbons Silence Hate Before Weekend Rally

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — What if you organized a rally to mobilize in fear and loathing of others, and no one came? What if no one talked to you or shouted back that you were wrong? How much wind would that take out of your sails if no one paid attention to you, because the other side of the argument had already met the day before, promoting love and unity instead?

That is what local bestselling author Kaira Rouda is hoping will happen.

You can see the fruits of her labor tied around a large, native tree near Main Beach. Perhaps you passed by it without giving it much thought. But on Friday, that tree is wrapped up in ribbons. Red, white and blue ribbons, and ribbons of different colors. They are called Unity Ribbons. Rouda invites you to join in, come on down to Main Beach, and unite against hate.

Rather than meet the America's First group mobilizing in Laguna Beach's Main Beach area on Sunday, during the opposition rally, Rouda is mobilizing the city to gather on Saturday at 10 in the same spot.

On a flyer explaining their action plan, Rouda stated:

"Instead of confronting them at their rally, we've come together, activists and community leaders, and created our own rally the day before to bring together like-minded people who must demonstrate that America is better than this. In addition, we need a symbol to squash their evil ones. We are the majority. We are more powerful. We just need to come together to show our unity."

Using the hashtag #UnityRibbons, they are encouraging ribbons of any color to be tied on trees, lampposts, signposts and doors throughout towns across America, not just in Laguna Beach.

"Don't attend the hate group rally," she continued. "That's what they want. The local law enforcement strongly urges us to stay away from these hate group gatherings. So don't go. Instead, imagine them, ignored, surrounded by #unityribbons. As Dr. Martin Luther King once said: The time is always right to do what is right.

"With these simple, powerful steps, you will let everyone know that hate is not welcome here," Rouda said.

Laguna Beach area people! Join us! This Saturday! 10 am at Main Beach as the citizens of Laguna Beach UNITE against hate. Bring a ribbon to tie around a tree to remind the hate groups gathering here on Sunday that love unites. #charlottesville #unityribbons Unity over Division. Love over Hate. #livelagunabeach #lagunabeach #lagunabeachsecrets #prayforpeace Laguna Beach needs your positive thoughts this weekend. #chooselove #home #onestepaheadofhaters
A post shared by Kaira (@kairarouda) on Aug 17, 2017 at 10:17pm PDT

Did you tie a ribbon? Send us your #UnityRibbon photos.

City of Laguna Beach photo