...born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad

“Hate” in Toronto: Some idiot(s) has been targeting Liberals—dangerous activity that, according to Liberal M.P. Carolyn Bennett, should be considered a “hate crime”. From the National Post:

TORONTO - Supporters of Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, whose central Toronto riding was hit by vandals this weekend, have called the candidate's campaign office requesting more lawn signs, and even bigger ones.

Police have stepped up patrols after vandals cut brake lines on several vehicles and keyed the letter L on to cars in the riding of St. Paul's.

Ms. Bennett, who has represented St. Paul's since 1997 and is running for re-election, said all the victims had her election signs on their lawns, and she likened the vandalism to a hate crime. Police said the mischief had occurred on Friday night.

"We're not confirming there is any type of a political motivation here at this point," said Staff Sergeant Shawn Meloche. "Cutting brake lines has the potential for causing serious injury and or death if it causes an accident."

Vandalism occurred in an area bound by Bayview, Yonge, Eglinton and Millwood Road.

The streets hit were Millwood Road, Hoyle Avenue, Mann Avenue, Soudan Avenue and Walder Avenue.

Ms. Bennett said at least 14 households were hit, with some people reporting brakes that were not working and in some cases mechanics confirming that brake lines had been deliberately cut. Two brick homes had white graffiti spray-painted on the side that read, in one instance, "Mc-Guinty Lies" and, in the other, "B. Rae Lies."

Ms. Bennett's campaign has alerted the 1,000 people who have signs on their lawns.

The acts have spooked some seniors and single mothers into taking the signs down, but other supporters called her campaign office requesting more, and bigger, signs.

"It's crossed a huge line in my mind," said Jennifer Lithgow, who discovered her house had been defaced on Saturday morning.

"I don't want to give in, because clearly that's what people want. So I will keep it up as long as I can." Her car was leaking brake fluid and she suspects the line was cut.

"It is almost like a hate crime," Ms. Bennett said yesterday at one residence spray painted with graffiti. Its phone and cable lines had been cut, along with a vehicle's brake line.

"You are targeting people you do not know because of an association with a cause that you hate. It's gone beyond just the partisan silliness," Ms. Bennett said… 

I couldn’t agree more. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to know who’s behind the  mischief. Are those respponsible

Posted by: scaramouche at 10:28 | link | comments

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