Hannah Fitch Bernard and Joy Benson Green stand next to one of Karen Ludwig's damaged election signs in St. Stephen. (Photo submitted)
Two St. Stephen women are hoping to turn election sign vandalism into a positive message for youth.
Hannah Fitch Bernard and Joy Benson Green are organizing a non-partisan event Thursday to stand up for women in politics.
The two were spurred to action after New Brunswick Southwest Liberal candidate Karen Ludwig had her mouth — and sometimes her whole face — cut out of campaign signs.
“Regardless of whether you see it being politically or gender-based, it’s an act of hate,” said Fitch Bernard.
After seeing Ludwig’s damaged signs, the two business partners started thinking of ways to combat the hate with an act of love.
Benson Green said they want younger people and women to see a different story in the vandalized signs.
“We thought, what if we all put our faces alongside Karen’s to show what happens to one person impacts us all and we’re going to stand with women who are silenced,” she said.
The two women will place 4×6 photos of people on one of Ludwig’s damaged signs along the St. Stephen waterfront, across from the Garcelon Civic Centre.
Residents will be able to bring a picture of their own or have their photo taken and printed on-site.
Vandalism is nothing new during an election campaign, but Benson Green said it feels different this time around.
“It feels different than spraypainting something on signs, it feels like the level of hate is growing. I don’t think it’s a time that we can be silent,” she said.
The “Act of Love” event will take place Thursday, Sept. 26, from noon to 2 p.m. and again from 5 to 7 p.m.
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