Video emerged online of an altercation that took place at the The Jaripeo event at Rowell Ranch In Castro Valley CA. The video shows hot dog vendors, male & female, being pepper sprayed and some physically attacked. It appears to show multiple vendors getting pepper sprayed while one security guard seemingly takes a swing at another vendor. Multiple people were pepper sprayed, one woman was clearly pepper sprayed in the face. Bystanders watched with disgust calling out the security guards for their behavior. Warning, the video below is graphic.
Locals flooded the comments with outrage with one user writing "Nahhh that's messed up. Them vendors just trying to make a living & People look forward to their food after events 😡😡😡" and another writing "I sure hope they get in trouble for this you cant just hit ppl and throw their things if it’s not allowed communicate with respect. How dare ppl treat others this way."
Rowell Ranch Rodeo responded to the backlash in a Facebook post writing:
It has come to our attention that there was an incident at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Grounds this past weekend. The Rowell Ranch Rodeo isn't affiliated or condone any of the actions that were taken at the event. The Rowell Ranch Rodeo is a completely separate entity than the rodeo grounds. The rodeo grounds are owned and operated by Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) not Rowell Ranch Rodeo. Any inquires should be directed to HARD.
https://haywardrec.org/.../facility/details/Rowell-Ranch-120