Thread by @GrantRants

This video was uploaded to Twitter tonight by Rob Primo, one of the louder "freedom convoy" protesters in Niagara, harassing my long-time colleague @BobTym, a fantastic photojournalist who has served the community for decades.

There is no excuse for harassing journalists.🧵

In this video, Primo screams at Bob, calling him a liar and a "piece of shit.," in a barrage of vulgar insults.

The truth is Bob Tymczyszyn is one of the best photojournalists in the country, who does an exemplary job for this community and is a pillar of the @StCatStandard

Not only is he a great photographer, but a kind and patient man and a consummate professional, as you can see in this video. A person is screaming at him, calling him names, lying about him and shoving a finger in his face, and Bob stayed cool, polite and professional.

Bob was always there for those of us on the Standard team who were just starting out in newspapering. He still is. He has taken some of the most poignant and memorable photos that document Niagara's history. He does not deserve to be treated like this by anyone.

This is evidence, filmed by a "freedom convoy" protester and in his own voice, showing the kind of harassment journalists have been subjected to on a constant basis for years now.

Please support local journalists like @BobTym by subscribing to the @StCatStandard.

Local newspaper journalists and photojournalists keep the public informed, resulting in harassment like this. It is dangerous:

Death threats. Racist taunts. Vows of violence. Inside the increasingly personal attacks targeting Canadian female journalists thestar.com/news/investiga…

I'm proud of the work Bob and the team at the @StCatStandard have done and continue to do. Without them, the Niagarans would have no idea what is going on in their community. So please support the Niagara Dailies and subscribe so they can continue to bring you the news you need.

You can also read our joint @TheSpec/@StCatStandard investigation into the rising tide of hate in Ontario:

Hate is rising in Ontario thespec.com/news/hamilton-… via @TheSpec

hub.metroland.com/subscribe/stca…

This is the protester who lead a nighttime protest outside the home of Niagara's medical officer of health. He accused Dr. Hirji of war crimes and shouted vulgar insults over a megaphone. The protesters also shone a strobe at Dr. Hirji's windows.

stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-r…

He also had choice words for the residents of the neighbour who came out in response to the yelling and noise to object, accusing them of supporting "genocide" and threatening to return in larger numbers:

A sampling of the comments from Primo's Facebook page where he also shared the video - folks cheering on his behaviour.

Why ‘protect the children’ has been the rallying cry for protests opposed to everything from vaccines to LGBTQ+ care in schools thespec.com/news/hamilton-… via @TheSpec