Durango police are investigating a Saturday incident at the Durango Community Recreation Center in which a woman wearing a “Make America Healthy Again” hat was allegedly harassed by another patron at the gym.
Police were called by a city employee working at the recreation center around noon.
Bernadette Lake was working out sporting a red “MAHA” hat when a man estimated to be in his 60s confronted her, according to Durango Police Chief Brice Current. The hat’s slogan and design are closely associated with President Donald Trump.
The man “got within her space and possibly touched her hat,” Current said.
Lake posted her version of the event on X, formerly known as Twitter, where her story has gathered 8.2 million views and 18,000 responses.
“Literally minding my own business working out and an unhinged man came up and verbally accosted me, screaming at me 4 INCHES from my face, calling me every name in the book ‘f-ing B’……then, HIT MY HAT twice!” she wrote.
In a previous post, which featured a photo of Lake at the recreation center wearing a shirt that read “Post-Roe generation,” Lake wrote “THIS T-shirt made them apoplectic!! ….and I love it.”
Efforts to reach Lake Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Current said officers are speaking with witnesses and investigating exactly what happened. The man could be charged with harassment, municipal battery or disorderly conduct if officers find probable cause.
Two men came to Lake’s aid, and a third recreation center employee stayed with the alleged aggressor after calling 911. Lake on X alleged that the employee apologized to the man who confronted her. That accusation has sparked a torrent of comments on the Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.
“Your organization does not protect women being harassed. You care more about the new liberal Nazi party,” one commenter under the name Ron Woods II wrote. “Why do you hate women? Is this the place to go if a woman wants to be harassed by a man? Will you let a man beat up a woman and then applaud?” another person under the name Duane Sutherland wrote.
Current said the employee who stayed with the accused aggressor was trying to de-escalate the situation and was unaware of what had transpired.
“She didn't know what happened,” Current said of the employee. “All she knew was these two guys were near him, and she called the cops and then sat him on the stairs and was trying to de-escalate him so he wouldn't leave until the cops got there.”
Accusations that a recreation center employee was among those clapping in support of the accused aggressor are being investigated internally, Current said.
“If anybody violated a law, they're going to be held accountable if we can find probable cause and if the statements line up,” Current said.
Anybody who witnessed the event is asked to contact the Durango Police Department at 385-2900 and ask for Detective Dustin Sergeant.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
