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“This is a disturbing message, but it’s also very rare. We all should take notice and condemn them, but I also want to make sure that people understand how embracing, welcoming and peaceful our city is.”

Photo by Ed Kaiser / Postmedia

There are security protocols with the RCMP for matters involving the prime minister and cabinet ministers, and those protocols are being followed, a spokeswoman for Sohi’s campaign said in a written statement.

“Our campaign has not been in touch with the police, nor have we filed a complaint,” said Alana Kiteley.

An election sign for the riding’s Conservative Party candidate, Tim Uppal, a former federal minister under Stephen Harper, was also displayed on the lawn but removed by Thursday afternoon. Sohi won the tightly contested riding in 2015 by only 92 votes.

“Threats of political violence have no place in our democracy. I’ve instructed my campaign to remove our sign from this property,” Uppal wrote in a tweet Thursday morning.

By Thursday afternoon, the crosshair sign had been altered to include the words “target your vote,” but to Sohi, that did not change his view of the sign, or lessen the intimidating effect that it might have had.

“I would be more concerned if this act, or demonstration of violence and hatred, discourages Edmontonians from openly expressing their political views and support for diverse political parties. We as a society are better off when people feel free — when we can agree to disagree with each other and still be respectful,” he said.

lijohnson@postmedia.com

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