Threatening behaviour towards elected officials is on the increase throughout B.C., with North Island MLA Michele Babchuk the latest in a series of protests directed towards politicians.

Babchuk told the Black Press Media about three instances where protests at her office and home have B次元官网网址渃rossed the line.B次元官网网址� Though she does expect some degree of passion from people in the riding as part of the job, when those instances begin threatening peopleB次元官网网址檚 safety is when it goes too far.

Starting on Dec. 1, a group of people who were protesting outside of BabchukB次元官网网址檚 office about public health orders came inside, which Babchuk says was B次元官网网址渦nsafe for staff and I had another constituent in my office.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 was meeting with that group, three representatives from that group in my office,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淒uring that meeting, it became very clear that I didnB次元官网网址檛 agree with what they were saying and I wasnB次元官网网址檛 going to agree to advocate for them. One of the gentlemen got up and decided to go to the door and let everybody into the foyer of the office.B次元官网网址�

Then on Dec. 11 protesters came to BabchukB次元官网网址檚 home, where they B次元官网网址渁pproached the front of my house on my sidewalk, blocked my driveway and proceeded to scream and yell and try to make their voices heard.

B次元官网网址淚t did cross a line for me,B次元官网网址� Babchuk said. B次元官网网址淚t took it from a professional conversation B次元官网网址� even if we werenB次元官网网址檛 agreeing B次元官网网址� to a personal attack.B次元官网网址�

Babchuk also said a third incident occurred at her home. The RCMP were called to each of the three incidents, and there was at least one arrest.

The protests and demonstrations have gone beyond partisanship. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau had to move offices earlier this month, Liberal MLA Mike Bernier has received death threats, Black Press reported an incident at Liberal MLA Trevor HalfordB次元官网网址檚 office where a man was hitting the building with a five-foot-long plastic pipe, and on Dec. 11 mannequins made to look like B.C. Premier John Horgan and other ministers were hanged in front of the Legislature.

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B次元官网网址淭his is just something that is escalating for all elected officials. I even know that the MP in our area has had attacks on her office and locally-elected officials are seeing it as well,B次元官网网址� Babchuk said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a trend that I think is dangerous and IB次元官网网址檓 concerned about it. It has to stop.B次元官网网址�

Babchuk said she understands that people are frustrated after having to deal with COVID-19 for the better part of two years, but stressed the need to return to civility.

B次元官网网址淚 certainly respect the fact that they have a different opinion,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e heard them, IB次元官网网址檝e listened. I disagree and I do not believe what they believe hence I canB次元官网网址檛 advocate for them. I believe that some of the things that they believe in puts the public in danger.B次元官网网址�

Dealing with protests and higher tensions are part of the job for Babchuk, but her family and neighbours did not put their names on the ballot.

B次元官网网址淚 think you expect people to disagree with you and youB次元官网网址檇 expect people to be passionate about their issues and rise up a little bit,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 think it was very startling to my family to see it happen outside of my home. I know it was something I didnB次元官网网址檛 expect. As we move forward, IB次元官网网址檓 hoping that cooler heads will prevail and weB次元官网网址檙e able to have these discussions in a more civilized manner.B次元官网网址�

The Mirror has reached out to the RCMP for comment.

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marc.kitteringham@campbellrivermirror.com
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