Libby Park Event -July 19, 2025

From Ojai Valley News July 25th

Barbara Bowman writes

From Ojai Valley News

Join protest in Ojai on July 19

If you are not worried yet, you’re not paying attention. I say that because because, theoreti- cally speaking, our world has been turned upside down. Those in authority appear to be the bad guys and the good guys are the ones they are after.

When you see husky guys in boots, bulletproof vests, fully armed with guns, tasers, batons and handcuffs, chasing guys half their size, whose only crime is harvesting our fruits and vegeta- bles or maintaining our landscaping, it is hard to wrap your head around the claim that these are the worst of the worst, the murderers who are threatening our way of life.

The only thing I see are people who have come here to work, do jobs we are not willing to do. They care for our young, old and disabled. They work in restaurants we frequent, motels and ho- tels we stay in. The hypocrisy of saying we don’t need them or the Anglos will automatically fill these jobs when vacant is ludicrous.

What I find totally amazing is that someone would be proud to take the job of arresting a mom who has worked in a restaurant for 10 years, taking care of her three children, or come to Ojai in an unmarked car and pick up a guy who is walking through The Meadow, or chase workers down El Roblar to add to their day’s quo- ta, totally terrorizing an entire town. Do we feel safer? Absolutely not! I have never felt less safe.

When those in power and those with power can arrest you without due process, it is time to stand up and be counted. In the words of John Lewis: “It is time for good trouble, necessary

trouble.” What power do we have? We have the power of mass gatherings, we can deliver the SHAME OF PUBLIC OPINION these jobs have earned for themselves.

Join me for the “GOOD AND NECESSARY TROUBLE” on Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ojai’s Libbey Fountain.

Barbara Bowman — Ojai

BELOW Pictures from Feb 8, 2025 Libby Park