Political Violence Has No Place in the Skeena. Period.

Recently, some nut thought it was a good idea to hang our MLA, Nathan Cullen, in effigy.

Let’s not sugarcoat it—this is a personal threat. But it’s not just about Cullen; it’s about all of us. Displaying the symbolic killing of an elected official in a public space sends a dangerous and foolhardy message: that political violence is acceptable.

It is not.

Nathan Cullen participates in a community barbecue — *During his tenure in Ottawa, Cullen was recognized multiple times as a Parliamentarian of the Year by his peers. Photo: Nathan Cullen Facebook*

Yes, we could ignore it, hoping it doesn’t give this toxic behaviour more oxygen. But silence is far more dangerous. We must speak out and condemn this kind of garbage—loudly and clearly.

Here in the Skeena, we can disagree, we can debate, but we don’t do this. We are not the Taliban. We do not threaten our elected officials or anyone with execution. We do not let hate take root in our communities. We are all neighbours and we all need to live together.

It’s time to stand up and say, enough is enough. We are better than this.

— The Skeena