Trump supporters gather at Selena Quintanilla statue despite family's cease and desist letter

With her red Trump-themed mask, Mary Delany smiled for the camera as she posed in front of the Selena Memorial statue in downtown Corpus Christi, Texas, on Saturday.

Delany, a Portland native, was decorated head to toe in red "Keep America Great" gear and was joined by her two service dogs — Rocky and Maggie. Both dogs were decorated with a giant red, white and blue mum.

"We really wanted to support Trump and we think he's the only one who needs to be in power to restore our government and restore peace to our nation," Delany said.

Delaney was one of 50 Trump supporters who gathered at the Queen of Cumbia's statue to show their support for President Donald Trump.

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Some attendees were decorated in "Make America Great Again" gear, donned U.S. flags, carried rifles on their backs and carried signs that said: "the silent majority stands with Trump," "Make America Great Again" and "No mas democrata somos republicanos," which translates from Spanish to English to "No more Democrats. We are Republicans."

The life-size bronze statue, which was unveiled in 1997, was created to immortalize the Corpus Christi-reared cumbia siren who was on the cusp of international stardom when she was shot and killed in 1995 by her fan club manager.

Every year, more than 30,000 people come from around the world to visit the memorial, according to the Visit Corpus Christi website.

"The Selena statue is a symbol of the Hispanic community. I wanted to deliver a message that minorities who support Trump are not alone," said organizer Joe Michael Perez.

Perez, who is running for mayor of Corpus Christi in November, is known for putting a MAGA hat on the city's Selena statue in a viral social media post.

On July 7, the Quintanilla family sent Perez a cease and desist letter asking him to not host his political event at the statue since he would be allegedly using Selena's image for profit.

If he did not comply with the order, he would face legal action from the singer's family.

The Caller-Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, obtained a copy of the letter from Singh, Singh & Trauben, LLP, a law firm from Beverly Hills, California that represents Q Productions, Inc., Abraham Quintanilla, Jr., and the estate of Selena Quintanilla.

"Without obtaining Quintanilla’s permission, you have unilaterally associated Selena’s brand and identity with Donald J. Trump, whose public statements, ideology, and political re-election campaign are neither endorsed by nor affiliated with Quintanilla in any manner," the letter states.

"This is a message. I'm not making money off of this. I refused to cancel this event because it was important to stand together as a unit to say Hispanics are here for Trump," Perez said. "I don't think they (the Quintanilla family) have a case. This is public property and we are here to exercise our right to freedom of speech."

As coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket in Corpus Christi's surrounding Nueces County, Perez said he was not worried about putting attendees at risk.

"This event is outdoors and everyone here is aware of social distancing and some are wearing their face masks, but at the end of the day it's their body and their choice," Perez said.

Delany said she wasn't afraid to attend the Trump rally because she was taking the steps to keep her and her husband safe.

"I have my mask on and I am keeping my distance while I'm here showing my support for Trump. The only person I'm close to is my husband. So, I'm not worried," she said.

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While many attended the event to show their support for Trump, more than a dozen counter protesters wearing face masks and another 30 conducted a drive-thru protest against the rally in front of the Selena statue.

Some counter protesters in their cars honked and carried signs that said: "Leave Selena alone," "Selena = love, Trump = hate. The 2 do not equate," "Show some respect," and "What side of history are you on?"

The two gatherings incited expletives, obscene hand gestures, and some confrontations from both Trump attendees and counter protesters. No one was physically hurt or injured at the event.

Wind Stalker, a Native American member of Coastal Community Defense, said he and several other counter protesters attended the event to practice their right to freedom of speech.

"We are here to oppose the rally just like they are here to support it. It's our right to free speech," Wind Stalker said. "The only reason we are armed is because they are armed too, and if somebody were to attack us, we want to be able to defend ourselves. But we are here to keep the peace and let others exercise their first amendment right."

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Trump supporters gather at Selena statue despite family's request