Alberta MLA says it is outraged that COVID-19 protesters left a rope outside their home

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An Alberta government MLA says it is outraged and shocked after anti-mask protesters hung a rope outside its home on Sunday.

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Speaking to reporters in the legislature on Tuesday, UCP MLA for Grande Prairie Tracy Allard said that although she was not home at the time, it was disturbing that the group of up to 30 protesters left the noose behind.

“That is a clear act of aggression and absolutely unacceptable,” Allard said. Captured in a photograph Allard posted on facebook , the rope is attached to a small makeshift wooden gallows and is painted with the words “no to masks, end the government, hang them all.”

“This is not normal and it is not right. North Regardless of your political background, when you enter public service, there has to be a minimum of etiquette and decorum, ”Allard said, adding He decided to report the incident because he does not want young people to be deterred from seeking public office for fear of being vilified.

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“I ran to improve Alberta, to serve this province, and whether they agree with my policies or my government or not, I think it’s important that good people get involved in politics,” Allard said.

In April, Allard spoke out against the COVID-19 restrictions, putting his name in a public letter written by a group of UCP MLAs asking the government to recognize voters asking the government to lift the restrictions. Allard, a former cabinet minister who was forced to resign after a vacation travel scandal called “Aloha-gate”, was also criticized by the opposition NDP in late September after she published a newsletter for voters. saying it strongly encourages vaccination, while “respecting the individual’s right to choose.”

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Allard called the incident ironic because he has been actively listening to raise the concerns of his constituents.

“I can’t always do what the voters want, but at the very least, they know I’m going to listen and listen to them,” he said.

RCMP spokeswoman Const. Lindsay Ralph said the Mounties were called to the residence Tuesday, saw the wooden sign with a bow, and when they asked protesters to remove it, the protesters obeyed. Ralph said the protest was peaceful and no charges were filed.

Allard said he is working with the legislature’s sergeant-at-arms and the RCMP to investigate further. In an afternoon news release, RCMP said they were unable to identify the person responsible or determine his “intentions” by displaying the rope.

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In her Facebook post, Allard said that beyond feeling “outraged” and “shocked,” she was heartbroken by growing fear in her community. He also addressed the protesters.

“What you did (on Sunday) was exaggerated. Did you consider the people in my neighborhood … the preschoolers living in my cul-de-sac? This is not the way to seek change. You will not get what you want through intimidation, threats and harassment, ”Allard wrote.

Justice Minister Kaycee Madu said in a tweet that he was “horrified” to hear that Allard was bullied, adding that public officials deserve to feel safe.

“Intimidation and threats of violence are never acceptable and damage the dialogue of our democracy,” he said.

The opposition NDP was also quick to condemn the display, with leader Rachel Notley saying on Twitter that it is unacceptable.

“These incidents discourage Albertans from seeking public office. We must make it clear that this behavior has no place in our province, ”Notley said.

In July, then-Minister of Health Tyler Shandro and his family were harassed by protesters at a Canada Day event.

The protesters chanted “Lock Up Shandro,” calling him a war criminal and calling on him to answer for destroying the lives and businesses of Albertans through COVID-19 restrictions. The bullying visibly upset one of Shandro’s young children.

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