Thread by @mfarooq45

A lot of people have been arguing that the protests are super peaceful.

Today, as the crackdown on the #ottawaseige began, one of the protesters tried to pick a fight with me on my way home.
@OttawaPolice
(1/7)

He leaned into my face and screamed FREEDOM - I told him (politely, I would think) to take a step back - he came up so he was literally pushing on me, screaming that I should “go back to where I came from” (I wonder what animated that).
(2/7)

I told him to not touch me.

He said - what are you going to do about it?

I had no interest in getting into a fist fight with this individual - But I repeated to him again that he needed to back off. NOW.

I think he saw the look in my eye and decided to back off (3/7)

I’m pretty privileged. I’m a larger dude and my dad put us through every martial arts training regimen possible.

I generally feel pretty safe walking outside, and I refuse to be intimidated.

But this is NOT what I would call a peaceful protest. (5/7)

Also, I wasn’t able to get cellphone footage of him (I had both my hands out of my pockets in case I had to defend myself) but he’s on Slater and Metcalfe still with a large drum and dredlocks @OttawaPolice
(6/7)

Also, to my friends and colleagues in all political parties - that I normally meet all the time on the hill as we advocate in a non-partisan fashion - I genuinely wonder how we are going to be alright.

What is going to be the path forward? (7/7)

PS I know a lot of the protestors would decry what I went through, I’m sure.

Just telling what I went through and experienced

PPS. I’ve made a formal report with @OttawaPolice - there’s decent camera coverage of that area, so hopefully things will move forward appropriately.

PPPS. Because life is stranger than fiction, the individual who confronted me last night was caught in the livestream coverage (just minutes ago kicking snow at police).

I will be sharing his photo with the relevant authorities.

Thanks to everyone for your kind words/support