“We categorically condemn anyone who in any way intimidates and harasses journalists working in defence of the truth.” --Chrystia Freeland
The assault of David Menzies at the hands of a member of Prime Minister Trudeau's security detail has a few lessons for citizens and journalists in a liberal democracy.
Menzies was assaulted, detained and falsely arrested while he attempted to get answers from Chrystia Freeland, the Deputy Prime Minister. Menzies asked why the Trudeau Government stubbornly refuses to list the Iranian Revolutionary Guard among terrorist organizations.
Menzies' question was perfectly appropriate, considering that at the time Freeland was entering a memorial for victims of Flight PS752, the Ukrainian International Airlines jetliner shut down by the Iranian military in January 2020.
Most fair observers would agree that the RCMP officer went overboard. As former Liberal cabinet minister and former BC premier Ujjal Dosanjh commented on X, the cop's conduct was "despicable."
