Vandals defacing Conservative posters threatened to stab party volunteers, Duhaime says
Montreal police said a 49-year-old man was arrested in Rosemont. In Sept-Îles, a suspect is still being sought by the Sûreté du Québec.
Author of the article:Andy Riga
Publishing date:Aug 30, 2022 • 1 day ago • 2 minute read • 116 Comments
Conservative Party of Quebec Leader Éric Duhaime says he’s outraged after two separate incidents this weekend in which vandals defacing the party’s posters threatened to stab volunteers who were putting them up.
One of the incidents occurred early Sunday morning in Rosemont riding in Montreal, and the second took place Sunday afternoon in Duplessis riding in Sept-Îles, the party said on Monday.
In both cases, the culprits allegedly vandalized the posters and then threatened volunteers who asked them to stop.
In the Montreal confrontation, a suspect was arrested by police and released the next morning. In Sept-Îles, a suspect is still being sought by the Sûreté du Québec, the Conservatives said.
Amid threats and harassment, security is more visible than ever at election events attended by party leaders. Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon told reporters that he was recently given a bullet-proof vest to try on.
Duhaime said he was shocked by the incidents involving his campaign workers.
“I am relieved to know that both (volunteers) are doing well despite the circumstances. It is beyond me that things like this can still happen in a democratic society like ours. Activists from all parties, without exception, have the right to be actively involved in politics, without having to fear for their safety.”
The party said vandals have also targeted many signs for the Conservative candidate in Taschereau riding in Quebec City, Marie-Josée Hélie.
“Vandalism is unacceptable in general, but it is even more so when it targets an exercise as fundamental as an election,” Duhaime said.
Montreal police said a 49-year-old man was arrested in connection with the Rosemont incident. He was released and will face unspecified charges at a later date, police spokesperson Gabriella Youakim told the Montreal Gazette.
She said police received a 911 call at about 3 a.m. Sunday morning about a man with a knife who had threatened someone installing election signs at Masson St. and 8th Ave.
The volunteer, a man, told police the culprit threatened him verbally and then with “an object in his hand,” Youakim said. The volunteer said he protected himself by hiding behind a ladder.
The alleged aggressor left the scene but later returned and was arrested, Youakim said.
A spokesperson for the SQ said the force has received several complaints about alleged election-related crimes but will not publicly provide details about specific incidents.
In the Ste-Foy district of Quebec City, Quebec Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade said nobody should be threatened or attacked in politics.
“We are right now in the middle of a campaign, you see the level of security that everyone has,” Anglade said, noting the SQ security detail that accompanies her at every outing.
“I encourage people to voice their concern, voice their opinion, but stay away from attacking anyone, of course.”
Campaigning in Lévis on the south shore of Quebec City, Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault also denounced the attacks.
“Some of our (posters) were also destroyed,” he said. “I denounce that for all parties. It’s unacceptable and it’s against the law.”
René Bruemmer and Philip Authier of the Montreal Gazette contributed to this report.
Montreal police said a 49-year-old man was arrested in Rosemont. In Sept-Îles, a suspect is still being sought by the Sûreté du Québec.
Author of the article:Andy Riga
Publishing date:Aug 30, 2022 • 1 day ago • 2 minute read • 116 Comments
Conservative Party of Quebec Leader Éric Duhaime says he’s outraged after two separate incidents this weekend in which vandals defacing the party’s posters threatened to stab volunteers who were putting them up.
One of the incidents occurred early Sunday morning in Rosemont riding in Montreal, and the second took place Sunday afternoon in Duplessis riding in Sept-Îles, the party said on Monday.
In both cases, the culprits allegedly vandalized the posters and then threatened volunteers who asked them to stop.
In the Montreal confrontation, a suspect was arrested by police and released the next morning. In Sept-Îles, a suspect is still being sought by the Sûreté du Québec, the Conservatives said.
Amid threats and harassment, security is more visible than ever at election events attended by party leaders. Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon told reporters that he was recently given a bullet-proof vest to try on.
Duhaime said he was shocked by the incidents involving his campaign workers.
“I am relieved to know that both (volunteers) are doing well despite the circumstances. It is beyond me that things like this can still happen in a democratic society like ours. Activists from all parties, without exception, have the right to be actively involved in politics, without having to fear for their safety.”
The party said vandals have also targeted many signs for the Conservative candidate in Taschereau riding in Quebec City, Marie-Josée Hélie.
“Vandalism is unacceptable in general, but it is even more so when it targets an exercise as fundamental as an election,” Duhaime said.
Montreal police said a 49-year-old man was arrested in connection with the Rosemont incident. He was released and will face unspecified charges at a later date, police spokesperson Gabriella Youakim told the Montreal Gazette.
She said police received a 911 call at about 3 a.m. Sunday morning about a man with a knife who had threatened someone installing election signs at Masson St. and 8th Ave.
The volunteer, a man, told police the culprit threatened him verbally and then with “an object in his hand,” Youakim said. The volunteer said he protected himself by hiding behind a ladder.
The alleged aggressor left the scene but later returned and was arrested, Youakim said.
A spokesperson for the SQ said the force has received several complaints about alleged election-related crimes but will not publicly provide details about specific incidents.
In the Ste-Foy district of Quebec City, Quebec Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade said nobody should be threatened or attacked in politics.
“We are right now in the middle of a campaign, you see the level of security that everyone has,” Anglade said, noting the SQ security detail that accompanies her at every outing.
“I encourage people to voice their concern, voice their opinion, but stay away from attacking anyone, of course.”
Campaigning in Lévis on the south shore of Quebec City, Coalition Avenir Québec Leader François Legault also denounced the attacks.
“Some of our (posters) were also destroyed,” he said. “I denounce that for all parties. It’s unacceptable and it’s against the law.”
René Bruemmer and Philip Authier of the Montreal Gazette contributed to this report.
Vandals defacing Conservative posters threatened to stab party volunteers, Duhaime says
Montreal police said a 49-year-old man was arrested in Rosemont. In Sept-Îles, a suspect is still being sought by the Sûreté du Québec.
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