Videographer speaks out after woman interrupted couple's proposal telling them to 'go back to Mexico'

Warning: This article contains video with strong language that some readers may find offensive.

A videographer has described her shock after a woman told her to 'go back to Mexico' as she was waiting to film her sister's engagement as a surprise.

Trinity Lugo, 22, works as a videographer in southern California, and decided that a good engagement gift for her sister would be video and photos to remember the happy occasion.

As Trinity and her brother were hiding and waiting at Crescent Bay Point Park in Laguna Beach, California, to surprise her sister, they were approached by a woman in the park who questioned if they had a permit and also can be heard saying 'go back to Mexico'.

“It was a really shocking experience honestly," Trinity told LADBible. "I can’t believe that there are still issues like that that are happening in our world, and it’s really sad."

The couple had been planning the special moment for some time, Trinity said, with her sister completing catholic sacraments prior to getting engaged, and her future brother-in-law saving up for the ring and the proposal for 18 months.

"This was a very special moment for them," she said. "It was something that they were waiting for and that they worked towards for a long time to happen."

Trinity said that the woman had earlier asked them if they had permits as they were getting set up. The City of Laguna Beach says on its website that permits are required 'for all motion picture, video and professional still photography when filming activity takes place on City of Laguna Beach property'.

“When we were setting up the cameras she actually came up to us and she was on the phone, and she said ‘do you guys have permits’, and then she said ‘you guys don’t and you can’t be here’," said Trinity.

“We kind of just ignored her at that point, because my sister and my brother in law were about to arrive."

When the couple arrived Trinity and her brother used an umbrella to hide from her sister, so they could jump in at the big moment to capture the proposal.

“That’s when my brother’s peeking out and he sees the lady walking towards us," she recalled.

A video of the encounter that Trinity filmed has been viewed more than 10 million times on Instagram, with many commenting and criticising the woman's remarks.

In the video, the woman approaches them and says: "The park is for people that live here to enjoy the park and have picnics and they don't allow events on the grass here."

She can be heard saying she has called the police, adding that 'they're gonna come out here, they're gonna make you tear it down,' and saying 'it's every single [expletive] weekend and I'm sick and tired of it.'

A mariachi band who had been hired for the occasion then started playing, at which point the woman stormed off, saying: "Bull****. It's [expletive] Mexican. This isn't Mexico either you mother*******."

As she walked away, she turned and said: "Go back to Mexico."

“She [the woman] was actually staying at the proposal, you know filming and waiting for what I assume to be the cops who actually never showed up," Trinity said.

She added: “After the fact of the proposal we did go and confront her and I did tell her we do have her on video.”

Despite the interruption, Trinity was able to capture the video and photos for her sister.

“The rest of the engagement was beautiful," she said. "The couple celebrated and we tried to keep the situation down so they were only focused on their engagement.”

In a statement to LADbible, a spokesperson from the City of Laguna Beach said: "The City of Laguna Beach is aware of the video from Crescent Bay Point Park on October 2. Laguna Beach has long been a place of acceptance and inclusion. We reject hateful language and behavior of any kind as it does not reflect our community's values.

"Laguna Beach’s parks and beaches are open to everyone and are regularly the backdrop to celebrate milestones. Because of their frequency, they can also affect the general public’s right to enjoy the coastline. Therefore, pre-planned setups and professional photography have specific rules and permit requirements (information is available at lagunabeachcity.net). We ask all residents and visitors to follow the rules for our parks and beaches and to treat all park and beach users with respect and kindness at all times."