CHICO — A local protester said city Councilor Karl Ory allegedly attempted to hit her as she walked by him Tuesday evening during a downtown march.
Ory said that wasn’t true, and he was merely waving for her camera.
Nichole Nava, a vocal critic of Ory, said she was walking with one of the three large groups of protesters heading down Main Street in Chico toward the Chico Council Chambers before the Feb. 18 City Council meeting. The groups were part of a large demonstration that evening.
“I was broadcasting the march toward chambers via Facebook for a One Chico group I help admin,” Nava wrote in a statement to the E-R. “As I walked in front of Duffy’s Tavern, Councilmember Karl Ory, who was coming from the opposite direction, deliberately shot out his left arm straight at me. I did nothing to provoke his hostile act.”
Ory said that he was walking to his office and was simply waving at Nava’s camera.
“We were going different directions. I waved at the camera as she went by,” Ory said. “It’s not true. She’s made a lot of accusations. It seems like that’s what she does.”
Nava was one of the organizers of a 2019 recall attempt against Ory and Mayor Randall Stone. She provided video of Tuesday’s incident, taken from behind by a witness, where the incident can clearly be seen.
As Ory approaches Nava walking the opposite direction, he sticks his hand straight out and Nava dodges it.
Both Nava and Ory confirmed there was no contact made, but Nava said it was “only because (she) reacted quickly.”
Nava said she is considering pursuing legal action against the councilor.
“I will be addressing what I believe to be a criminal act,” she said.
