In addition, you gave space for Palestine Action Canada’s statement about the incident which helps the reader to understand why they took this specific direct action and their goals in general. Far too often, pro-Palestine advocacy is reported on by Western media without mention of the ongoing genocide, as if there is no connection.
Dear Peterborough Examiner,
I am writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East to express our gratitude for your balanced coverage of Palestine Action Canada and GeoSpectrum Technologies Inc. in the article, “Police say vandalism of Peterborough company was 'hate/bias incident'.”
We appreciate that you provided important context around GeoSpectrum Technologies’ ties to the Israeli company Elbit Systems. Companies that profit from and enable the ongoing genocide, apartheid, and occupation of the Palestinian people should be called out for their complicity.
In addition, you gave space for Palestine Action Canada’s statement about the incident which helps the reader to understand why they took this specific direct action and their goals in general. Far too often, pro-Palestine advocacy is reported on by Western media without mention of the ongoing genocide, as if there is no connection.
A more accurate headline would have read: Peterborough Police investigate vandalism aimed at stopping arms sales to Israel.
Lastly, police should not make statements about a crime's motive before an investigation is complete. Doing so risks compromising the integrity of the case, prejudicing the legal process, and spreading misinformation.
I would have preferred you point out that police should provide verified, factual updates—such as the nature of the incident, the status of the investigation—while explicitly stating that the motive remains under investigation or removing this part of the statement altogether until factual proof that could lead to an actual hate charge is provided. It should not have become the focus of the article.
Technically, a hate/bias incident does not meet the threshold of a criminal offence, which means they prematurely made this statement knowing this was not a hate crime but still wanting to create the narrative.
Sadly, our police forces appear to be in lock-step with our federal government’s playbook on declaring any opposition to Israel’s genocide and Zionism a hate crime. It is unfortunate that the very institutions designed to protect us are now making us all significantly less safe.
We appreciate you playing a role in trying to shed light on the truth.
In solidarity,
Nikki Mutch
Media Advocate
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East