Andrew Wilkinson, MLA

Leader of the Official Opposition

Parliament Buildings

Victoria, BC

V8V 1X4

2018 May 01

Please don’t incite violence against political opponents

Dear Mr. Wilkinson,

I’m greatly alarmed to learn that you have recently incited mob violence against British Columbia Attorney General David Eby, forcing him to cancel a planned town hall on the speculation tax. Your conduct is both undemocratic, and unbecoming of a person of your intellect, calibre and stature.

Fom Mussolini to Mugabe, intimidating one’s political opponents through violence is a depraved tactic only the most despotic dictators have engaged in. And history has shown us that once politicians divide societies by means of violent polarization, they send those societies down a path of certain ruin. Is that what you want for British Columbia?

While I’m aware that you have made a career of representing big tobacco and corrupt businessmen from China against BC, I want to believe that you did so for the money, and not out of some deep rooted hatred towards your fellow British Columbians.

I, like you, am an immigrant to Canada. I learned while studying for my citizenship test that the role of the opposition in a parliamentary democracy is to “peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals.” (Emphasis Mine.)

A town hall is one of the most inclusive forms of democratic discourse. By inciting mobs to violently disrupt a town hall, not only are you compromising the safety and security of an elected official and civilians who wish to engage with him, you’re also undermining our democratic institutions.

I urge you: stop. Stop inciting violence. Take the honourable path and restore civility by apologizing to Mr. Eby and asking your supporters to refrain from violence.

Thank you,

Rohana Rezel