Hamilton councillor wonders if vehicle vandalism linked to ‘despicable social media campaign’

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Published October 25, 2021 at 6:45 pm

A Hamilton city councillor suggested there was a non-zero chance that criticism he’s received on social media had something to do with his car being vandalized.

Ward 2 Coun. Jason Farr wrote a tweet on Sunday stating that a vehicle he owns was broken into and damaged overnight on Sunday (Oct. 24).

“Hope it has nothing to do with this weeks latest despicable social media campaign,” Farr wrote.

The third-term councillor did not specify what “despicable social media campaign” might have incited the illegality. Nor did he say why he thought that might be the case.

Ward 2 covers downtown Hamilton. The signs of the turmoil of a city in transition is stark in the ward, with encampments of unhoused people a few hundred metres away from new and under-construction condominium towers.

The Hamilton Community Legal Clinic is also in court with the City of Hamilton seeking an “interlocutory injuction” to end encampment evictions.

With that going on, Farr issued a statement last week stating issues caused by the encampments are escalating.

In August, he voted with the majority when councillors voted 10-2 in favour of returning to pre-pandemic enforcement of an anti-camping bylaw that had been blocked by a previous injuction.

Activists aligned with the ielectHamOnt group have included Farr as part of an “old guard” they plan to campaign against in the 2022 municipal election.

It is the second time in three months that a lower-city councillor has said property damage occurred at their home.

In August, Ward 1 Coun. Maureen Wilson said her home was “egged” after she voted against the resumption of encampment evictions.

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