I think a hiking club is a great idea. But I see no racism here.
She has a hiking club, and hikes with groups of around 15. Great. But even 15 is enough that as the organizer she has an obligation to check regulations on group events. Most parks require permits for large groups.
On this day she was hiking with 70 participants. That's going to be an issue many places. And a film crew. Using drones. The park says
Park Permits: C.30.a. It shall be unlawful to conduct on Open Space Lands (i) a commercial activity including, but not limited to, concessions or an activity that provides a service or product for which a fee is charged, or (ii) a group or special activity, as defined by the Open Space Division, without first obtaining a valid Park Permit. Fine: $100.00 C.30.b. It shall be unlawful to violate any term or condition of a Park Permit.
Since the film was apparently aired, I'd guess it falls under commercial. Drones, they're not allowed in many parks. 70 hikers, I don't know who is dumber for not inquiring about a permit, the group organizer or the head of the film crew.
The trail, I presume it's wasn't a horse only trail. On shared trails usually horse traffic has the right away.
Mob is not a racist term.
Law enforcement seems to have handled the situation well, calmed it down and no arrests. Great. Why sheriffs deputies with sidearms is an issue I don't know. Law enforcement's reaction.
In the end, Newton and her fellow hikers were warned for failing to secure a permit for their group. Newton says she regrets putting members in a distressing — and potentially life-threatening — situation by unknowingly breaking a park rule. However, she suspects that a similarly sized hiking group of white women would not have been confronted so aggressively.
So yes, they were there illegally. Not a mob, just a group of entitled lawbreakers. If it was a group of 70 white women breaking the rules to make a movie, the only difference probably would be the issuance of citations.
The leader claims to have hiking experience, but she doesn't seem to know the written and unwritten rules of the trail.
My experience is I have rarely encountered groups of more than 15 on a trail. They really should have checked in with the Park HQ to announce themselves and ask about any rules for a group that large.
[[If it was a group of 70 white women breaking the rules]]
They would have been thrown into the recently vacated cells that formerly held rapists, murderers, criminals of all stripes, who were let go early because of covid
ok well maybe not- but there is a HUGE discrepancy in law enforcement imposed on citizens by rogue enemies of the nation posing as governors and mayors