Democracy in Langford?
Posted by Steven Hurdle on February 29, 2008
Democracy in Langford?
letter to the editor
Monday Magazine Feb. 27, 2008
Re: “Blackwell balks at result,” Feb. 14-20
I am somewhat incensed and certainly upset at all the fingers pointing at “protesters” being the source of vandalism in Langford. This has come up in Langford council and in the press.
Historically, the victims of bullying, harassment, intimidation and vandalism have been anyone who opposed the machinations of either Langford council or local developers. By using the same irrational thought process of some people and groups, we must conclude that the ongoing harassment and vandalism of those who disagree with “business as usual” must be coming from those who support Langford council.
It would have less of an appearance of hypocrisy if Langford council were to vocally and forcefully request that all acts of intimidation and vandalism cease immediately and citizen democratic process be allowed to proceed unimpeded. That is something that everyone could agree with.
So, Langford, are you up for it? Is the rule of justice and democracy possible in Langford?
Herman Surkis, Langford
Jessica Knight said
The RCMP have confirmed that as of March 1st, the only complaint of vandalism reported was some paint on a truck’s window and damage to the windshield wipers. As of yet, there has been no investigation into whether or not that actually happened (apparently the window was just washed off). The other question of course, if indeed this damage did occur, is who did it.
I find it quite insulting and a blatant bias that the press (see Chek 6 coverage of Feb 29th) would be willing to create a story in which vandalism is assumed to have occurred without any evidence to back that accusation, yet they were unwilling to report that protester’s received an anonymous email the evening of Feb 28th warning them that Scansa was paying their construction workers double time to show up and oppose the protesters.