Trump Star Pickaxers Meet
Trump star pickaxers Austin Clay (left) standing next to James Otis (right) outside of the Polo Lounge restaurant at The Beverly Hills Hotel after having lunch together on Saturday, July, 28 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Donald Trump’s Hollywood Star was pickaxed for the second time in less than two years on the early morning of Wednesday July 25. James Otis, a Santa Monica College alum, is the man who demolished the star back in 2016. This time, a 24 year old by the name of Austin Clay was the one to take his axe to the star. The two met for lunch in Beverly Hills three days following Clay’s incident to discuss the nonviolent protest under the Trump administration.
Clay was accompanied by his girlfriend, Elektra Emerald and her father, Rory Emerald. Otis sat next to Clay at a booth in a corner of the The Polo Lounge restaurant at the Beverly Hills Hotel as they shared details of their acts of protest. Drawing on his own experience in court, Otis offered his advice as the two discussed the potential legal ramifications of this kind of protest. Throughout the conversation, the group discussed plans for future non-violent protest they plan on taking part in.
After everyone finished their meals, Rory Emerald revealed that he originally thought up the pickaxing protest, though Austin ultimately carried it out. When asked about the motive behind the incident, Clay said, “I think the actual act was symbolically removing Donald Trump from, not only Hollywood Blvd, but from the United States of America in a way.” Clay went on to discuss the policies Trump has recently made that upset him, saying, “The zero tolerance policy, that kind of set me off a lot. The fact that he took children away.”
Although Clay is currently out on bail and has a court date set on August 15, the consequences following the incident aren’t going to stop him from continuing his activism. “I think it’s important to stand and face the music, but no I’m not going to let that stop me and I think I have the backing of the American people,” said Clay. “It was a lot easier than you’d think [to pickax Trumps star]… What I mean by that is, a lot easier than you’d think to do something politically. I’d say that having done something tangible and kind of leaving my mark and putting my voice out there is very rewarding in it of itself. I would encourage anybody like minded or brave enough to go out there and make their voice heard, however they feel is right.”
Clay's sentiment is popular, and he will be accompanied by supporters on his August 15th court date.