“It's time to crack down on anti-mask bigots in Ottawa “
@JoelHardenONDP asks some good questions.
Why aren’t anti-maskers who endanger other people’s health / safety penalized?
Is that a balanced approach to free speech? ottawacitizen.com/opinion/harden…
Other similar cases involving @OttawaPolice come to mind. Why not ticket the anti-masking harassers camped at the National War memorial? google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.…
Why do police break up a group of activists who write protest messages in chalk? But do not arrest racist, far right conspiracy theorists who accost politicians and journalists?
Why does a bylaw officer feel it’s fine to ticket a father out at a park with his child during early days in pandemic but why aren’t bylaw officers aggressively ticketing anti-maskers now that COVID cases are at record highs? google.ca/amp/s/ottawaci…
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Yesterday, I spoke to the parents of a 23yo man who fell from a 12th floor window following a no-knock police raid. Anthony Aust was out on bail, with a GPS tracking bracelet. His mom said he was depressed, fearful of police and jail cbc.ca/player/play/18…
Raymond Aust, says when he saw this video of the raid captured by the home security camera- he knew wanted to make it public. He says police should know barging like this into a 12 story apartment endangers the public. He wonders how many bystanders are traumatized by these raids
You should know that when Ottawa Police raided the 12th story apartment there were 5 other people inside. Anthony Aust, his 94yo grandma, 68yo Dad w/ heart condition, 12yo brother, 13yo sister, and Aust’s girlfriend. The 12yo was in the room when he jumped
Thread:
I'm worried that the Ottawa Police is tearing itself apart.
There is a disgusting video circulating that likens OPS Chief Peter Sloly to Hitler, because of his comments on systemic racism. 👇The video is offensive and beyond the pale google.com/search?client=…
I'm not going to link to the video - but it compares Sloly's handling of a racist meme to Hitler's last days in power. How can anyone think it is reasonable or even funny to compare a racist meme to a genocidal regime? cbc.ca/news/canada/ot…
I don't know who created the video. But it does seem to be someone in the service. The Ottawa Police Service from the executives, to Superintendents, inspectors, staff sgt., sgt. to constables need to condemn this. So does the board. This crosses the line.
1/Thread on journalism and random acts of kindness.
After this was published in @HuffPostCanada and @NewCdnMedia - a reader contacted me and asked if he could send Aya a gift for school. It arrived yesterday.
2/ Here’s Aya’s reaction after opening the gift. It was her own Chromebook! And Michael, the confidential donor also sent a second laptop for the family to use!
3/ For me - this was reaffirmation, that people care about these stories of newcomers and are seeking ways to help. And it was also a professional boost of energy. Journalism can sometimes feel like unrequited love.