The Dark Side of Politics: Bullying, Harassment, Threats
Welcome Everyone to Municipal Affairs, I'm Chris Brown
Today we delve into a pressing and disturbing issue within the world of municipal politics: the dark and often dangerous reality of harassment, bullying, and intimidation faced by our local elected officials.
On May 16, 2024, Detectives in the Major Crime Section of the Greater Sudbury Police Criminal Investigation Division initiated a criminal harassment investigation after receiving a complaint from a City of Greater Sudbury Councillor.
The harassment, which began in 2022, escalated over two years, culminating in incidents that left the councillor fearing for her safety.
On May 21, 2024, detectives arrested and charged an 81-year-old man with criminal harassment. Since his release on an undertaking, Councillor Natalie Labbée has come forward, revealing the extent of the hateful messages and threats she has endured since her election in the Fall 2022 Municipal Election.
Elected to represent Ward 7, Councillor Labbée's inbox was soon flooded with vitriolic messages. According to the Councillor things came to a head when the accused man started keeping track of her movements, driving by the house and taking note if her car wasn't in the driveway, asking her where she was. She decided to report the accused to the police when he visited her home twice in one day.
This disturbing trend is not isolated. A 2021 report by the US-based - National League of Cities, titled 'On the Frontlines of Today’s Cities: Trauma, Challenges and Solutions,' highlights a significant rise in harassment, threats, and violence directed at local officials. Eighty-seven percent of surveyed officials reported an increase in attacks, with 81 percent experiencing such harassment firsthand, often on social media platforms.
We had the opportunity to sit down with the Councillor just days after the news of the arrest broke. In our conversation, she shares the harrowing journey she has faced since her election, her thoughts on the broader pattern of harassment of politicians, and her hopes that by telling her story, she can inspire other elected officials to stand strong.
This is a story of resilience, courage, and the ongoing fight to protect our democracy.
This is Municipal Affairs
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