I'm writing in concern to our Thousand Oaks City Council and the way they are doing things--the way that they have stopped the public from participating in the public meetings.

It is so discouraging to see how bad our local government has become. Thousand Oaks has stopped good people from participating on boards and commissions.

It's time (for) citizens . . . to loudly rise up and let your voices be heard, and not be silenced by local political officials.

When you are at the council (meetings) you feel like you are in a prison and you have no rights.

It's time this stops.

This is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. That's what we elect people for.

Thousand Oaks has violated our First Amendment rights. Mary Harris Thousand Oaks