As millions of people across the U.S. tuned in Tuesday to watch President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address on television, one San Diego viewing party stood out from the rest and garnered emotional reactions on social media.

A viewing party titled “Noche de Chanclazos,” or “evening of slipper-throwing,” brought dozens of San Diegans together to watch Trump’s speech. They were actively encouraged to throw flip flops at the screen “whenever you feel Trump disses you or your community,” according to the Facebook page of the group who organized it.

Watch as people hurl their flip flops and boo at a projection of Trump’s speech on a wall.

× Watch San Diegans hurl flip flops, or ‘chanclas,’ at Trump’s State of the Union address. Video courtesy of American Friends Service Committee.


The American Friends Service Committee organized the viewing party. Its director Pedro Rios said in a telephone interview on Wednesday that 60 to 70 people showed up. He said the idea was to express their objections to Trump’s immigration policies in a comedic way.

“We felt it was an effective event that pokes fun but does not minimize the seriousness of the issues,” Rios said.

NBC affiliate KNSD-TV also captured video of the event and shared it on social media, sparking strong reactions to the flip-flop-hurling, including comments from many who saw it as disrespectful.

Disrespectful or comedic? At this San Diego State of the Union community watch party, the chanclas were flying https://t.co/r5pguNtgE5 pic.twitter.com/zbsiIjDkwO — #NBC7 San Diego (@nbcsandiego) January 31, 2018


Sad! Imagine if we did this for Obama’s SOTUS! America First! Love it or leave it! — Steve Davis (@oldcdfchief) January 31, 2018

When asked about the reaction the group has gotten from their event, Rios said it’s been mostly positive. He said he has heard criticisms that the sandal-throwing was disrespectful but he countered that it was harmless criticism.


“We’re having fun throwing sandals at a wall,” Rios said. “His policies, on the other hand, are devastating immigrant communities. It doesn’t measure to the type of disrespect that our communities are feeling considering this is just an event that we’re having fun with.”

On social media, others thought it was benign activity and a healthy way for Americans to exercise their right to free speech and to protest.

It’s good therapy. This orange idiot POTUS has made life miserable for so many this past year, it’s helpful to express one’s anger and frustration in a harmless fun way. Kudos!! — Nancy O'Leary (@floweroleary) January 31, 2018


On its Facebook event page, the group called their gathering a success, saying that the “Chanclazos were heard throughout the borderlands” and that “border wall prototype piñatas were smashed, we ate tacos, and let out our aggression in the most creative way.”

What do you think — was the event disrespectful to the office of the president of the United States? Was this a healthy way for people to show their opinion? Would you attend a viewing party like this? Share your thoughts on this.

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Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez

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