Statement from NDP’s Laura Mae Lindo on Peterson event

KITCHENER— NDP candidate for Kitchener Centre Laura Mae Lindo released the following statement on the Jordan Peterson event in Kitchener:

“There’s no room for hate in Kitchener or Ontario. Mr. Peterson’s racist and transphobic worldview are simply not welcome here.

To the courageous people of Kitchener and across Waterloo region who join me in fighting against transphobia, homophobia and racism, thank you. We are united in rejecting the hateful and divisive rhetoric that targets our neighbours and makes our neighbourhoods unsafe.

After releasing videos mischaracterizing my racial equity work with and for community, he and many of his followers subjected my office to weeks of harassment and threats. Despite his attempts to silence us, we are undeterred. My team along with so many others across Waterloo Region and beyond will never stop working to build a more equitable and just province.

I invite the community to join me in standing up and speaking out against any views that further division amongst us, and to put love, compassion and kindness into the universe. That is what leading with love looks like. And that is how we will heal from the division Mr. Peterson’s rhetoric brings.”