Let’s be clear about what happened on Locke Street last Saturday evening: it was a cowardly act of vandalism and a flagrant disregard for private property. Period. End of sentence.
I’m surprised that some people are actually suggesting that the thugs who carried out this wanton destruction should be given the benefit of the doubt.
Anyone who claims that this was a protest against gentrification or capitalism or whatever, has no basis for such claims because no reason for the criminal act was given.
WATCH: ‘These were criminals’: Hamilton police update vandalism on Locke Street businesses
When Martin Luther King Jr. marched in Selma, Ala., or the Women’s Day March in Washington took place, they were conducted as peaceful protests against social injustice.
In contrast, a bunch of thugs, whose only apparent purpose was to destroy private property deserve our scorn, and so does anyone who tries to justify their egregious behaviour.
Because of the community support and the dedication of Locke Street merchants, Locke Street will recover, but we need to learn from this.
This isn’t the first instance of this kind of lawless behaviour and it won’t be the last unless we send a strong, clear message that those who seek to destroy our community have no place in our community.
Bill Kelly is the host of Bill Kelly Show on AM 900 CHML and a commentator for Global News
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