The Lancer

The Lancer

The Lancer

New MegaMind TV and Movie Sequel Release
New MegaMind TV and Movie Sequel Release
Joseph Goodnight, Opinion Editor • February 20, 2024

In March of this year, Dreamworks is set to release a Peacock exclusive TV show and movie sequel to the beloved 2010 MegaMind movie. The trailer...

In Fastbreak Fashion
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • February 14, 2024

Lancers lead the way in the second half. The Great Oak Wolfpack came into Thousand Oaks Tuesday night for the CIF quarterfinals and with them...

Perserving in Penalty’s
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • February 14, 2024

The Lady Lancers traveled to a neutral site in Anaheim to take on the Katella Knights in the second round of the CIF-SS girls soccer playoffs....

Kanye - He's Back at it...or Maybe Not?
Elijah Brown, The Lancer Staff • February 14, 2024

Kanye West's new album “Vultures 1”, many nationwide were skeptical at first about Kanye's new album considering the controversies he has...

It’s Valentine’s, Baby
It’s Valentine’s, Baby
Momo Sonoda, Editor-In-Chief • February 14, 2024

St. Valentine’s Day commemorates the death of St. Valentine, but for others, the holiday marks a day of birth. Junior Chokee Weezer was born...

Health Science Majors Program hosts their senior showcase
Momo Sonoda, Editor-In-Chief • February 12, 2024

Last week, the seniors in Health Science Majors hosted a showcase, featuring various professions that they hope to pursue in the future. At the...

Advancing Again
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • February 12, 2024

The Lancers left campus during lunch to travel to Temecula for their round two playoff game, and the ride wasn’t enough to stop the Lancers....

Double-Double Galore
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • February 12, 2024

The Lancers once again came out of a playoff game as a victor, behind a powerful Trent Maclean performance nonetheless. Maclean powered his way...

Avid Attack
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • February 9, 2024

A massive performance from standout freshman led the way for the Lancers at Ventura College, freshman Maddie Linville started the game off strong...

Advancing at last!
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • February 8, 2024

Fast start, with no slowing down, your Lancers took down the Chaffey Tigers 3-1. A very early goal from junior attacker Gabriel Torreblanca gave...

Elias Chin ready to take a shot
Onto the Next
Jake Bradley, Sports Editor • February 8, 2024

Advancing at last!  Despite a close score after each of the first two quarters, stars Elias Chin and Trent Maclean were able to help the Lancers...

Valentines Day grams for your special someone -- or not
Valentine's Day grams for your special someone -- or not
Gabriella Muller, The Lancer Staff • February 8, 2024

With Valentine's day approaching quickly, the student store is crowded with students buying Valentine's Grams for people they know -- and those...

Sephora Takeover
Sephora Takeover
Gabriella Muller, The Lancer Staff • February 8, 2024

With the rise of popular skincare brands coming from Tiktok, Sephora is seeing a rise in sales but a massive drop in age. “10-13 year old kids...

Point Counterpoint: The Super Debate
Point Counterpoint: The Super Debate
Kevin Starr and Christian-Isaiah AguilarFebruary 8, 2024

Two The Lancer columnists -- Kevin Starr and Christian-Isaiah Aguilar -- have strong opinions about the upcoming Super Bowl. Here, they square...

on the bottom is real animal based leather, while on the top is “vegan” leather, or “pleather”
Vegan Leather is Worse for the Environment than Real Leather
Joseph Goodnight, Opinion Editor • February 8, 2024

Throughout the the past 20 years the interest in sustainability and ethicality has risen immensely, especially in regards to fashion, as the...

Q&A: Ava Riggio Discusses Being Pepper Sprayed at Protest

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The Lancer: First, tell us a bit about yourself. 

Ava Riggio: My name is Ava Riggio; I’m a junior at TOHS. I’m in Ethos and am a dancer. 

 

TL: What made you decide to protest? 

AR: As a white person I kept asking myself, “what can I do to help?” I don’t have a job, so donating was difficult, and posting on my Instagram did not feel like enough to me. So, I decided to protest as a way to actively fight and implement change, as well as show my solidarity with the black community. 

 

TL: What about the Black Lives Matter movement is most meaningful/personal to you?

AR: From a young age, it was always difficult for me to understand why some people were treated differently merely because of the color skin. As I grew older I saw that discrimination turn into violence as I turned on the TV and saw faces like Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Philando Castille and now George Floyd. Black Lives Matter is such an important movement because it actively fights police brutality while also shining light on the innocent victims in a way that honors their legacy. 

 

TL: How do you feel protesting? 

AR: Protesting was one of the most liberating experiences I have ever been a part of. It was so empowering to stand with a group of people that are so passionate about fighting for justice. It felt good to know I was making a change. 

 

TL: What, if anything, do you want people to know about protesting and the movement?

AR: The protesters and the looters are completely different groups. Many looters and rioters have taken advantage of George Floyd’s death as a way to get free things or to ensue chaos. The protesters do not endorse that. I also have seen far too many videos of police ensuing violence in situations where the protesters were acting completely peaceful. 

 

TL: Take us back to the event, what events led up to the woman pepper spraying you?

AR: I was standing on the center divider alongside 20 other people when a woman pulled up next to me, rolled down her window and yelled “All lives matter, not black lives.” Then, [she] flipped me off and rolled her window back. Us protesters then turned our attention towards her, chanting “BLM” and “Say his name,” which angered her enough to roll down her window again and try to tase me. When she saw that her threats would not stop me from exercising my first amendment right, she then maced me and others in the face. 

TL: How exactly did she try to tase you?

AR: She rolled down her window launching her arm and zapping her taser. Fortunately, since I was peacefully protesting and maintaining space, she could not reach me. 

 

TL: How did you feel at that moment? What were you thinking? 

AR: At that moment I was just shocked that someone could be so cruel. We were protesting for justice for a man who was innocently and viciously killed. How can someone disagree with that narrative so much that they would want to hurt others who believe it? 

 

TL: How are you feeling about it now? 

AR: I’ve had time to think about what happened, and I realized that I had just gotten the tiniest bit of sense of what black people have to go through. Me getting pepper-sprayed will never compare to the innocent and beautiful lives that were taken and what they had to go through leading up to their death. Now, I just want to continue to fight for those people. 

TL: Can you tell us anything about pressing charges etc? 

AR: The police saw the video on Twitter and actually contacted me. I will be taking legal action and pressing charges

 

TL: If/when the protests subside, what is your next course of action? Do you plan to keep advocating for Black Lives Matter?

AR: I am fortunate enough to have someone close to me who works directly with the actual BLM movement. I plan to work with them, listen to them, continue to educate myself and hopefully educate others as well. 

 

TL: What would you say to people that want to protest, but cannot for various reasons? 

AR: There are many ways you can help that don’t include protesting; however, a post on your Instagram is not enough. We need action! You can donate, watch documentaries, read articles, sign petitions, make calls and write letters directly to District Attorney Mike Freeman and Mayor Jacob Frey. 

 

TL: Is there anything you want your fellow TOHS students to know? 

AR: If you are white it is not your place to tell oppressed people how they should express themselves based on the bias media outlets and your limited knowledge of black history. Black people don’t owe you a pat on the back for speaking out on injustices either. We are in a defining moment of history, you do not want to be on the wrong side! Lastly, silence is violence. Choosing to remain silent and do nothing means you chose the side of the oppressor! 

 

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Q&A: Ava Riggio Discusses Being Pepper Sprayed at Protest