Thousand Oaks community takes a stand at the Hands Off! protest
“This is what democracy looks like,” chanted the crowd. Between 1-3 p.m. on April 5, approximately 2,000 Thousand Oaks community members protested against President Donald Trump’s administration and policies as a part of the Hands Off! National Day of Action. On the sidewalk near the Oaks Mall, between West Hillcrest Drive and Lynn Road, local activist groups Indivisible Conejo, Indivisible Simi Valley and Women United for Change organized one of many national demonstrations.
Earlier that day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., about 20 protesters from a local group known as the 805 Patriots rallied in support of Trump on the Lynn Rd. freeway overpass and in the Oaks Mall parking lot, displaying opposing views.
The Hands Off! protest highlighted multiple causes, including health care, tariffs, women’s rights, climate change, immigrants’ rights, education and social security.
Leanna Brand, the leader of Indivisible Simi Valley, explained the causes that led to the Hands Off! protest. “[Trump’s administration should take their] hands off our social security, hands off our Department of Education, hands off of everything that’s being destroyed in the government. The theme of the protest is to call attention to the fact that our democracy is being destroyed,” Brand said.
Scott Van Atta, co-president of Indivisible Conejo Valley, said the event was successful beyond expectations. Before the protest, Van Atta alerted local authorities when he saw the sign-up list grow, to ensure the safety of protesters, drivers and pedestrians. Police were present throughout the event. “It was a great turnout. Everyone peacefully protested,” Van Atta said.
During the event, Janie Ahlberg, president of the Conejo Democratic Club, provided water bottles to protesters. “This is what America is all about. The power is in the people,” Ahlberg said. She continued, “We’re hoping to show people here in Conejo Valley that they’re not alone.”
Seated on a wall on the northeast corner of Hillcrest Drive and Lynn Road, Kerry Mellin, CEO of EaZy Hold, was one of many protesters holding a sign stating concerns for small businesses and minorities under Donald Trump’s presidency. “Trump doesn’t care about people with disabilities. He doesn’t care about veterans. He cares about the 1 percent white male getting richer,” Mellin said.
Mellin expressed her gratitude for the turnout of protesters advocating for social security. “Thousand Oaks has become ‘thousands of protesters’ today,” Mellin said.
This is not the last of protests in Thousand Oaks. There will be another Hands Off! protest at the same location on April 19. Organizers also have similar events planned, including weekly Saturday protests outside the Camarillo Tesla showroom and a “Conversations and Cocktail” night hosted by the Conejo Democratic Club on April 26.
No significant incidents were reported to authorities and many attendees described the event as an uplifting atmosphere. “We have to organize and stand up,” Brand said.
