It might seem curious that In-N-Out Burger, an institution in this blue state, would be the site for a rally in support of President Donald Trump and conservatives. But at a Moorpark restaurant Wednesday night, about a dozen people gathered to show their approval of the president and the Republican Party.

The small group wore pro-Trump t-shirts and buttons and carried cutouts of the president’s face. One supporter even draped herself in a Confederate flag. A few passersby honked their horns in support, though overall it was a quiet event, despite the fervor over last week’s headlines — that In-N-Out gave thousands of dollars in support to the GOP.

Sharon Evans, second from right, and her husband Rick Rogers, right, sing songs at a San Fernando Valley Trump supporters rally in support of In-N-Out Burger at the In-N-Out in Moorpark, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, Contributing Photographer)

Sharon Evans, left, and her husband Rick Rogers sing songs at a San Fernando Valley Trump supporters rally in support of In-N-Out Burger at the In-N-Out in Moorpark, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, Contributing Photographer)

Sound The gallery will resume in seconds

Marina Lynn, left, and Randi Berger wear capes for a San Fernando Valley Trump supporters rally in support of In-N-Out Burger at the In-N-Out in Moorpark, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, Contributing Photographer)

Trump supporters Sharon Evans and Boris Kushner, from left, talk with In-N-Out customers Phil and Tresa(cq) Doyon at a San Fernando Valley Trump supporters rally in support of In-N-Out Burger at the In-N-Out in Moorpark, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, Contributing Photographer)

San Fernando Valley Trump supporters rally in support of In-N-Out Burger at the In-N-Out in Moorpark, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, Contributing Photographer)



San Fernando Valley Trump supporters rally in support of In-N-Out Burger at the In-N-Out in Moorpark, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, Contributing Photographer)

Juan Camacho shows his support for “The Donald” and In-N-Out at San Fernando Valley Trump supporters rally in support of In-N-Out Burger at the In-N-Out in Moorpark, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, Contributing Photographer)

Organizer Randi Berger wears a “Trump 2020” cape at the San Fernando Valley Trump supporters rally in support of In-N-Out Burger at the In-N-Out in Moorpark, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, Contributing Photographer)

Sharon Evans, Rick Rogers, Miriam Fogler and Marina Lynn, from left, gather for a San Fernando Valley Trump supporters rally in support of In-N-Out Burger at the In-N-Out in Moorpark, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker, Contributing Photographer)

Randi Berger of Encino organized the rally. She’s organized other conservative and pro-Trump events in Southern California, including one supporting Chick-fil-A’s policy of closing on Sundays for employees to rest and worship.

Part of the goal of Wednesday night’s rally was to give Trump supporters a place to air their views, she said.

“I’ve always been a voice for the underdog,” Berger said. “Most people are afraid. They don’t have the guts. They don’t know how to start things.”

RELATED STORY: California Democrats’ In-N-Out boycott is hard to swallow

Conservatives in Southern California face backlash for voicing their opinions, she said.

“I want to give them a safe place to express themselves, just a voice for the underdog to get out there, don’t be afraid. We’ll have the police there.”

The rally followed the dust-up last week, which intensified after California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman called for people to boycott the chain, known for its cult-like following and “animal-style” burgers. That was after it was revealed that In-N-Out donated $25,000 to Republicans. The chain was quick to point out it also has given money to Democratic causes.

“Et tu In-N-Out? Tens of thousands of dollars donated to the California Republican Party… it’s time to #BoycottInNOut – let Trump and his cronies support these creeps… perhaps animal style!” Bauman tweeted Aug. 29.

Et tu In-N-Out? Tens of thousands of dollars donated to the California Republican Party… it’s time to #BoycottInNOut – let Trump and his cronies support these creeps… perhaps animal style!https://t.co/9zkdFaG5CJ — EricBauman (@EricBauman) August 30, 2018

Bauman later walked back his call for a boycott, telling The Sacramento Bee “There is no boycott. I put one tweet out at 10:30 at night and it turned into a whole thing. We’ve raised so much money in small donations as a result of that one tweet … so it’s amazing how it became this big boycott.”

The support came on a day when Trump lashed out at a senior administration official, who wrote wrote an anonymous opinion piece in The New York Times on Wednesday claiming to be part of a group of people “working diligently from within” to impede President Donald Trump’s “worst inclinations” and ill-conceived parts of his agenda. Trump said it was a “gutless editorial” and “really a disgrace,” and his press secretary called on the official to resign.

Sharon Evans, of Sunland, came to the rally draped in a Confederate flag, a symbol of America’s history, she said.

“We are historians, and we love our history,” she said. “The left is about destroying our history.”

Political candidate Ricardo Benitez of Sylmar came to the Wednesday night event to support In-N-Out, a business he said could mean that all-important first job for a young person. Benitez is a candidate for Assembly District 39, which covers the northeast San Fernando Valley.

“We came out and defended In-N-Out because this is the business that was attacked,” Benitez said.

“California depends on these businesses. If we allow people to destroy what makes this country and California beautiful, such as businesses, we cannot support that.”

Though the chain has given money to both parties, the rally was an effort to counter any impact of a boycott, Berger said.

“We’re trying to override the damage that liberals are trying to do to their business,” she said.

Marina Lynn of South El Monte wore a red t-shirt with “Trump” written in sparkle lettering. She said she came to the In-N-Out rally to support the company.

“(In-N-Out has) donated to both parties,” Lynn said. “I think it’s ridiculous that Eric Bauman on Twitter did a boycott In-N-Out Burger. I mean, if he doesn’t like that, why doesn’t he donate $25,000 somewhere else?

“Democrats and Republicans, we all like In-N-Out Burger.”