'Unacceptable,' says London MP whose office sprayed with ketchup Sunday
Alessio Donnini | CBC News | Posted: October 23, 2023 7:45 PM | Last Updated: October 23, 2023
London Police are investigating the incident that occured Sunday
A London, Ont. Liberal MP whose constituency office was vandalized at the same time a large protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza was passing by calls the act a front to democracy.
Peter Fragiskatos' office windows and doors were sprayed with ketchup Sunday prompting a police investigation.
"Regardless of whether it's ketchup or spray paint or some other material, that's really beside the point," said Fragiskatos. "Vandalism is not democracy. It is simply outside the bounds. I'm extremely disappointed."
Images taken from the constituency office's surveillance cameras, and shown to CBC News, show dozens of people congregating on the lawn of the office at Richmond and Hyman streets.
Police have not identified any suspects or motives, however Fragiskatos said he suspects there was anger in the crowd around the federal Liberal government's position on the war between Israel and Hamas.
He points to a statement he wrote on Oct. 15 that decried Hamas as a terrorist organization that purposely targets civilians, reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defence under international law, and advocated for humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza.
"I think I was targeted in this way because of the federal government's position on the war that's transpiring between Israel and Hamas and my own position on this," said Fragiskatos.
"I also mentioned the ongoing importance of a Palestinian state. This is something that Palestinians rightfully deserve and unfortunately Hamas has set that goal back, perhaps irreparably," he said.
Despite the vandalism being troubling, Fragiskatos will continue to try to find middle ground with his constituents, he said, stressing the importance of being transparent with his beliefs as part of that.
"I think what I shared is a very reasonable point of view, is a balanced perspective, and I'm not sure what within that is so challenging for the individuals that decided to vandalize the office."