This vandalized campaign sign for Liberal candidate Karen Ludwig was discovered on Monday, September 16th 2019. (Facebook)
Less than a week into the federal campaign and the Liberal candidate in New Brunswick Southwest is dealing with vandalized signs.
Karen Ludwig, who is seeking re-election in the riding, learned on Monday some of her signs had been defaced.
The signs had sections cut out and, in one case, backwards swastikas were spray painted on a sign.
She says some of the signs were located on the traffic circle in St. Stephen and others were near the on and off ramps for Highway 1 and on Route 3.
I will not be muzzled despite the intolerant and hateful behaviour of a few. Can you imagine what young people will think when they see this kind of behaviour in rural New Brunswick?Make a statement — VOTE!
Posted by Karen Ludwig on Monday, September 16, 2019
Ludwig posted about the damage on social media and received hundreds of messages of support.
“That support was really a resounding concern where people are concerned that it would happen and what direction we are going in regarding our thoughts towards politicians in Canada,” Ludwig said.
While the vandalism was upsetting for Ludwig, she says it became a teachable moment when some educators reached out to her.
“Their students were on the school bus and they saw some of the signs that were defaced and they were talking about in class and it actually led to a pretty healthy discussion on democracy,” she said.
As candidates running for Parliament, Karen and I often disagree and debate ideas but at the end of the day we discuss…
Posted by John Williamson • Conservative Candidate in New Brunswick Southwest on Monday, September 16, 2019
Conservative candidate John Williamson posted a message of support to Ludwig on Facebook, saying the vandalism “isn’t right and it hurts our community.”
Both candidates experienced sign vandalism during the 2015 election.
Ludwig says the matter has been referred to the RCMP.
