Vandalism done to Liberal supporters signs, properties, and cars in Guelph

There was a shocking display of election vandalism going on in Guelph last night. In this instance, homes with Liberal signs were targeted. Liberal supporters signs and houses were spray-painted with graffiti (it appears that at least 10 homes were vandalized), and at least 6 cars were keyed and their cars brake lines were tampered with and cut. This is more then just a prank - someone could have been killed if they hadn’t noticed and went driving off in their car.

Here are some pictures of the vandalism.

There was a joint news release from all 4 campaigns. It reads as follows:

Frank Valeriote, Tom King, Mike Nagy and Gloria Kovach denounce criminal damage to property: Joint Statement

GUELPH — August 29, 2008 - Frank Valeriote along with the other candidates in the Guelph by-election have unequivocally denounced the criminal damage that was done to at least ten homes and 6 vehicles in Guelph which had Frank Valeriote lawn signs in the early hours of Friday morning. They made their statements at the home of one of the victims this afternoon.

Families woke up in the early morning to see the brickwork of their houses spray painted with political graffiti as well as the brake lines to their automobiles cut.

This violence follows on the extensive damage to campaign signs that has been occurring to varying degrees to Liberal, Conservative, NDP, and Green signs throughout the by-election period.

“What happened in the early hours today is a despicable and cowardly act that endangered innocent people’s lives,” said Valeriote. “The cutting of the brake lines was intended to at the very least to severely injure people, who have chosen to participate in one of the most important processes this country has to offer to its citizens- they chose to exercise this right and have a political sign on their lawn. We live in a lawful and peaceful society where we have the freedom to express ourselves politically. No one should be subject to this kind of violence and intimidation,” Valeriote concluded.

Frank Valeriote and Tom King spent most of the day visiting and consoling the owners of the houses that have been criminally vandalized. “I join Frank Valeriote in condemning these vicious attacks in our
community,” said Tom King. “The vandalism to political signs and the targeting of private homes and property must stop immediately. This kind of activity has nothing to do with the NDP or the Liberals. We’re sad to see politics take such an ugly turn. We hope the police will find the criminals responsible and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”

“Greens totally disapprove of any acts of vandalism. Political motivated attacks on people’s homes and property insults the values that Canadians hold sacred regarding safe a free elections” said Mike Nagy.

Gloria Kovach agreed with all the candidates stating ” This is an escalation in behaviour and his kind of activity has no place in Guelph especially whe we all strive for free and fair process”.

All the candidates denounce the criminal violence, and give their sympathies to the victims whose private property was damaged.
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This is a disgusting display of voter intimidation in defiance of the principles of democracy. No one should be targeted like this for expressing their support for a political group.  All types of vandalism to all parties supporters is the same and should be utterly condemned. In this instance, it could also have resulted in serious injury or death for those who had their car brakes tampered with.

UPDATE: If you want to see someone with the type of Neanderthal mentality to do this type of behaviour, go read CDLU’s blogpost on this, and read the first comment in there from “Tom Robinson” aka “Johnathon”, who has been banned from several Liberal and Progressive BLogger sites for leaving stuff like he has at David’s,  and a lot worse stuff that is bigoted and racist. I’m sure he’s actually applauding this type of despicable behaviour. If you get someone that leaves stuff similar to this, this loser’s IP he uses is usually 24.150.49.4