I never thought I’d see a movie villain in real life. I have experienced evil, I know what it is like to wake up in the middle of the night to someone trying to rape me. But to see someone who looks straight out of central casting, comically so, on the way home from the dentist was not on my to do list for the day.

I heard the horns as I turned the corner. I looked over at the gas station. I saw them, multiple cars of agents and added my own horn to the chorus. But I was angry, so I pulled over and jumped out, pulling out my whistle to join the crowd.

It was there I saw him. He was tiny and surrounded by men who looked like they were at war. Gregory Bovino in real life was a cartoon villain. Short and incredibly un threatening. However he was surrounded by men who were armed, masked and waving tear gas at us.

They were joking and laughing as my ears hurt from inside my own head. My whistle was so loud and I was unprepared with ear plugs. But we were all there, in the snow, some people dancing, some yelling, some getting right in their faces.

I think they had just stopped for gas, thankfully they were not actively kidnapping one of our neighbors at that time. But as they piled into their cars preparing to drive away the image that stays with me is one of the men standing and riding with the door open waving his hand like a pageant queen.

This is a joke to them. They assault us, kidnap us, beat us, kill us. And they act like it’s a fucking joke.

And it would be comical if it weren’t so terrifyingly real. They are cosplaying bravery as they kidnap children. They are actors wearing masks trying to be what they think tough guys should be. But the real heroes are on the streets with us. With phones and whistles. We witness. We see. And we will continue to do so.

— B