Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter in order to draw attention to an issue that I think is very important to all of us living here in North Vancouver. During the course of this campaign, it has become obvious to me and others that there are those within our community who think that it is acceptable to tear down or take down political signs for those candidates with whom they do not agree, or whom they do not support.
I find it deeply distressing that amongst those of us who are living in Canada because Canada was a sanctuary of freedom for so many (including my ancestors) are people who think nothing about committing such acts that threaten our basic freedoms of speech and political expression. Even amongst those who think that these acts are wrong, there is sometimes an attitude of “oh well, it’s just a sign” or “it’s not that big a deal.”
I beg to differ: despotism is a spectrum or sliding scale and those who tolerate such acts are wilfully embarking on a trip down a very slippery slope that starts with “petty” crimes – and sometimes ends with violence and repression.
We cannot allow this to continue.
If anyone reading this letter has been a participant in such acts, I implore you to look past the immediate results of your action and consider the insidious and corrosive impact you are having on our political culture and our most important civic values, an impact you may well be horrified by once you think about things a bit more deeply.
For those who know others doing these things, I beseech you to call them on it, up to and including notification to the appropriate authorities, including the RCMP.
As for the RCMP, I and others would be grateful if you would continue to approach this insidious and casual lawlessness with all of the resources and spirit you can muster.
This sort of behaviour can never, ever be dismissed as “minor” or “normal.” It must stop now.
Trevor Wiebe
North Vancouver
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