I am wholeheartedly opposed to SIA’s toxic soil dump on Stebbings Road and have taken part in several rallies against it. For the most part, I am very pleased with the turnouts and efforts of other people participating in these rallies.
However, I have heard complaints that some protesters spat at RCMP and suggested that the RCMP are working for SIA. This sort of behaviour is obviously asinine, and is damaging to our cause because it strains our relationship with the RCMP, who have thus far shown great patience with this matter.
What’s worse, this behaviour gives the impression that all of us who are opposed to the SIA dump are irrational and antagonistic. For people who are on the fence on the topic or are just learning about it, it sure doesn’t help sway them to our point of view when a few people make the rest of us look like such maniacs.
Please be aware of how your words and actions are reflecting on the rest of us, and on our movement as a whole, when you are taking part in a rally, talking to people about the situation, writing letters to the editor, etc. Cooler heads will prevail.
David Barnes
Cobble Hill