Concern for democracy after protestors force campaign event cancellation

Editor:

After witnessing the despicable actions of foul-mouthed “protesters” force Justin Trudeau to cancel his campaign event in Bolton, Ontario, several thoughts come to mind.

First, I am concerned for the physical safety of the Prime Minister and his Liberal team. I am very glad no one was hurt.

But perhaps just as important is the concern I feel for our democracy. These ruffians represent a side of Canada that cannot be tolerated. The bullying, and successful, tactics by these louts puts an end to political discourse and interplay of ideas. By not allowing the Prime Minister to speak, this organized team of intimidation has tromped on the democratic ideals of the nation, and has injured people from all parties who care about dialogue and expression of opposing views. The perpetrators may think that they won a victory by shutting the political event down, but if they won, the rest of us lost.

I am reminded of one of my grandpa’s sayings: profanity is the unsuccessful attempt of an uneducated person to express himself forcibly. The mainly anti-vax and anti-mask crowd that attacked all of us clearly are uneducated!

The statements from Erin O’toole and Jagmeet Singh were quick to condemn the actions of this motley crew, and I’m proud of their reactions. But all of us have to take responsibility for a democracy that feels a little tenuous.

I have hated bullying tactics all my life, and this affront to democratic principles is every bit as offensive as anything we ever saw on the school grounds. All reasonable Canadians must take a stand, not necessarily in support of Justin Trudeau, who answered his hecklers with compassion and understanding, but on the side of open discourse and expression of ideas.

Duane Filson - Woodrow