plaza with flag

Santa Cruz wants autonomy from the rest of the country and lately the political situation has become tenser. This is a sign in the down town plaza that says, "If you love it, defend it." I'm not sure what the "it" refers to, as gramatically it must be a feminine word (so not country or department/state). Perhaps it's city? I think the sign has been up for a while, but now there are hunger strikers and protests, too.

Done