Events last week in Washington, DC where right-wing fanatics laid siege to the Capitol were deeply disturbing. Across the world, nearly universal outrage was expressed over such a shocking spectacle. The entire saga was despicable. I roundly condemn such violence.
It is curious, however, that many of those who denounced the violence of right-wing extremists have said little about equally troubling violence from the far-left. In Kenosha, Wisconsin, blocks of the city were torched by mobs protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Anmol Khindri, who along with his father, owns Car Source, watched helplessly as protesters burned his Kenosha business to the ground, causing $2.5 million in damages. In June, a Milwaukee Democrat state senator was brutally attacked by activists during a Black Lives Matter demonstration. Similar violence erupted in Minneapolis after George Floyd was killed by police. In Seattle, Antifa activists commandeered blocks of the city for a month as part of Capitol Hill organized protest. During that occupation, two Black youth ended up dead, one shot by self-appointed security. A third youth was also seriously injured.
Portland has been held hostage for nearly a year as Antifa has taken to the streets nightly, assaulting citizens, burning buildings, smashing windows, and terrorizing the city. In August, a Trump supporter was shot and killed at point-blank range by a Portland Antifa activist. During BLM protests in the city, a man was pulled from his truck by protesters and savagely beaten, including sustaining a round-house kick to his head. For months, far-left forces have unleashed a wave of destruction in cities across the U.S., including in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, DC, and New York.
Even in Squamish, this hypocrisy has been evident. In June, hundreds gathered in front of Squamish’s O’Siyam Pavilion as part of an anti-racism protest. This was during B.C.’s Phase 2 COVID-19 restrictions, which prohibited gatherings of more than 50 people. Photos in The Chief show many participants without face masks and in violation of social distancing guidelines. Few officials have condemned BLM protests even though such demonstrations clearly present a risk of virus spread. Ironically, those same officials have been quick to denounce anti-mask protests and outdoor religious services. Does COVID transmission magically abate during a BLM demonstration?
I emphatically condemn the right-wing mob that took over the Capitol. But I also vehemently denounce the ongoing violence from the far-left. Whether from the left or right, violence is not the answer.
Brian Vincent
Squamish
