Adam Cooper, the councillor for Ward 6 in Cambridge, joined The Mike Farwell Show on Sept. 22 to discuss the recent increase in threats and violence directed at politicians, including himself, and to explain why Cambridge City Hall has started checking bags at council meetings this September.
Because of some recent incidents at City Hall, they’ve added bag checks as part of security when people come into the building for council meetings. It’s a new measure that comes amid a rise in threats against local politicians.
Chat with Adam Cooper, Cambridge Ward 6 Councillor
Mike Farwell: “Cambridge City Council will have its regular meeting tomorrow evening. If you want to attend like many people do every week, be prepared for your bag to be searched before entering council chambers. That wasn’t happening last week but starting tomorrow, bag checks will be in place as you enter. Joining me now is Adam Cooper from Ward 6 to talk about this.”
“What’s your take on these new bag checks before people get into council?”
Adam Cooper: “It’s really unfortunate, Mike. Honestly, it sucks that we have to do this. No one wants it but staff and security feel it’s necessary now. This is just how politics feels these days – not comfortable or easy at all. We’ve seen what’s been happening lately. Staff have been thinking about this for months after there were active threat situations at City Hall on two separate days-I won’t go into details-but combined with what happened down south with that political assassination over someone not agreeing with another’s voice.. plus the mayor in Gatineau stepping down because of harassment… I’ve faced harassment myself too. There are lots of folks out there who think if you don’t share their views it’s okay to harass or try to ruin your reputation publicly by yelling or accusing you of scheming. Many elected officials’ families won’t put up with that kind of treatment either. And then there are unstable people who hear all this and decide it gives them license to act out.”
“Most times it’s harmless stuff-but you start wondering when someone might cross the line and actually get violent or physical-it’s definitely a troubling time.”
Mike Farwell: “You talked about facing harassment personally, Adam-does that ever make you question why you ran for council or think twice about continuing?”
Adam Cooper: “Nope, can’t let it stop me. You don’t want to give that stuff too much attention anyway; sadly it comes with the job sometimes-especially nowadays when it seems worse than before. I haven’t had direct threats exactly but plenty of hateful harassment requiring police help-things said would shock most people honestly-I actually keep a folder on my computer with all these messages; probably around 40 different ones now telling me things like ‘get some rope and do the world a favor.’ Harassment has even spilled over onto family and friends too-but none of that will stop me from doing my work here. I always figured if no one gets upset by what I’m doing maybe I’m not doing enough.”
Mike Farwell: “My boss says something similar!”
Adam Cooper: “Exactly! It comes with standing firm on what matters-and when you tackle tough topics more heat is bound to come your way. You might remember five years ago when I organized Take Back Cambridge protesting how badly drug issues were managed causing crime spikes? After that event many tried spreading lies about me just because they didn’t like my voice standing up for residents-I even heard rumors claiming I wanted homeless people smashed with baseball bats on TV-which obviously was totally false among other crazy stuff floating around since then.”
This kind of behavior encourages others already upset at you and sometimes other politicians looking for advantage spread misinformation too-they’ll vilify mayors or councillors which ends up putting lives at risk because some folks believe those lies then feel justified acting out through harassment or worse violence.”
“So we really need to watch each other’s backs here-we need more talking between everyone because without open discussion fear builds up along with anger which eventually leads to violence.”
Mike Farwell: “I agree completely; debate and conversation are vital right now-you said sticking by your beliefs is key and honestly anyone running for office brings their own views forward-that feels like part of today’s price tag though doesn’t it?”
Adam Cooper: “Yeah, sadly many get scared off from standing strong fearing attacks or being targeted personally-but if you truly believe in what you’re doing then dealing with criticism is just part of the gig-even if harsh sometimes-it shows you’re making an impact somehow. It sucks we have had to add bag searches here after thinking about them so long but recent events pushed us over the edge into action-I plan on keeping at it no matter what harassment comes my way.”
Mike Farwell: “Do these new rules make you feel safer as an elected official?”
Adam Cooper: “I do feel better knowing staff and security are working hard protecting us here-it helps stop dangerous things coming inside city hall where most meetings happen-it really is pretty safe otherwise-but honestly if someone was determined enough they could still reach us anywhere around town during events as you’ve seen going on across our region too.”
The big thing though is communities everywhere in Canada need to start pushing back against aggression aimed just because someone thinks differently-we need real conversations again instead of hostility growing unchecked.
“If we accept violence or harassment as normal parts of politics then it’s bad news,” he said “Elected officials should be able come into their jobs feeling somewhat safe-or else they’ll quit like so many already are leaving early just trying protect their mental health and family life-and they shouldn’t have to.”
Mike Farwell:“Thanks so much for joining us today Adam.”
Adam Cooper:“Happy to chat anytime Mike-I’m looking forward to our next talk!”
