A dispute over flying the American flag in a San Marcos, California, homeowners association has intensified, with a local couple, Chris and Amy Cooke, facing accusations of doxxing from a board member's husband. The Ambiance Owner’s Association had threatened the Cookes with $100 fines if they did not remove their flag.
During a recent HOA board meeting, the husband of a board member claimed his wife was receiving death threats and stated, “we’re getting death threats,” which Chris Cooke interpreted as an accusation directed at them. The Cookes deny any involvement in doxxing or sharing personal information of board members. Chris stated he informed the board that they had not engaged in such activities. Following this exchange, Chris received texts from the board member, indicating she was blocking him and forwarding screenshots of threats made towards board members.
The Cookes assert they are peaceful individuals who do not condone threats or doxxing. The HOA board has opted to table the flag issue for another 60 days, citing the need to conduct a new community survey before reaching a decision. Amy Cooke expressed frustration, believing the board is stalling to allow public attention to fade rather than addressing the underlying legal questions.
The couple claims the HOA has targeted them since the 2024 election. An earlier letter from the HOA board had argued that the American flag represented a “political or affiliative view” that would “degrade the common area.” The Cookes, who have flown their flag for 20 years in honor of Chris's grandfather, a World War II veteran, are determined to continue displaying it. They note that other neighbors have removed their flags due to pressure from the association.
Chris and Amy Cooke are preparing to hire legal counsel and have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support their legal battle. California State Representative Carl DeMaio has criticized the HOA's actions, calling them "reckless" and "partisan."