Actor Danny Trejo is speaking out after a brawl erupted during the Sunland-Tujunga Fourth of July parade in Los Angeles. The incident, which has garnered significant media attention, began when Trejo’s vintage car was struck by a water balloon thrown from the crowd. Trejo, known for his roles in films like “Machete,” was a guest at the parade and was driving his classic low-rider when the altercation occurred.
“It’s sad that people can wake up in the morning and go down and ruin something for everybody else,” Trejo told FOX 11. “I am a protector. I will protect all my friends, always, and that’s what I was doing.” The actor explained that he initially got out of his car because someone in the crowd yelled that the balloon contained acid. “Somebody yelled, ‘It’s acid!’ And I panicked, I got out of the car to look, and then a balloon hit me. I saw the guy throwing it,” Trejo recounted.
The situation quickly escalated. Video footage captured by bystanders shows Trejo confronting the crowd, which led to a physical altercation. “He was more like confronting. It wasn’t like he went there to hit somebody,” said Arnie Abramiam, who recorded the incident on his cell phone. “But then I think once he got hit, he was throwing punches.”
Trejo’s friend, Mario Castillo, who was in the low-rider behind Trejo’s car, also got involved in the fight. Both Trejo and Castillo were knocked to the ground at different points during the brawl. Castillo, who was visibly bruised, told FOX 11 that he believed they were racially targeted. “We weren’t there to start no trouble. We were just confronting the people that were throwing balloons. It was a grown man, skinhead, tattoos,” Castillo alleged.
The Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club, which organized the parade, expressed their disappointment over the incident. In a statement to FOX 11, they said, “It is disheartening that this year’s parade was marred by disruptive events that took place between some participants and spectators. We do not condone this type of behavior.” They also apologized to Trejo and his associates, acknowledging that Trejo had graciously accepted their invitation to participate in the parade.
Trejo, who is 80 years old, expressed his frustration with the situation. “I hate bullies, and that’s what bullies do. They were really cowards. I did this in the ‘50s and the ’60s, I’m still doing it, I’m 80 years old!” he said. Despite the physical altercation, Trejo refused to press charges, and the crowd had dispersed by the time police arrived.
Witnesses to the incident had mixed reactions. Some, like Stanley Herrarte, noted that the parade often involves people throwing water balloons at each other, but usually not at the vintage cars. “The reason why Danny was so infuriated was because usually people don’t throw water balloons at fancy cars when they come by,” Herrarte told ABC News.
In an interview with TMZ, Trejo elaborated on his reaction, explaining that the situation escalated because he believed the water balloons might contain acid. “Honestly, I am so sad. I’m so sad that I behaved the way I behaved,” he said. “I don’t think I would have even got out of the car if somebody hadn’t yelled, ‘It’s acid.’ That’s when I panicked.”
Trejo also addressed the racial undertones of the incident. “I’m just sad that there’s still people from the ‘50s and ‘60s that still feel the same way. No one else was targeted,” he said. Despite the altercation, Trejo assured everyone that he was fine. “I’m alright. They couldn’t hurt me. I would be embarrassed if I attacked an 80-year-old man and he’s still talking and laughing,” he said.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about public behavior and respect at community events. While the Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club and local residents have expressed their regret over the incident, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum and respect during public celebrations.
Trejo, who has built a career playing tough characters in Hollywood, has also been involved in various community and business ventures in recent years. Despite the unfortunate events at the parade, he remains a beloved figure in the community.
As the dust settles, the focus shifts to ensuring that future events are safe and enjoyable for all participants. The Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club has pledged to review their security measures and work towards preventing such incidents in the future.
Source: FOX 11, ABC News, TMZ
