Harassment of Elected Officials Must Stop

What we allow is what will continue. Are we willing to put an end to escalating harassment and intimidation of our elected officials, or will we sit on the sidelines?

Political violence is not a new phenomenon. Those seeking to serve in public office have always faced hostility. Now, as a record number of women and other underrepresented groups have made inroads into elected office, the reactions have become heightened and dangerous. The mix of the digital era, pandemic isolation and growing partisanship provides a powder keg ready to explode.

With the growing number of women in office, the violence towards them is also rising. Violence against women in politics takes many forms including death threats, rape threats, sexual harassment, misogyny, disparagement, and sexist and racist abuse. These tactics attempt to silence and to force compliance. They aim to undermine our democracy by preventing true representation.

From north to south and coast to inland, SLO County has seen numerous egregious acts against women candidates and elected officials. A razor blade in a tire, an intruder at a City Hall, a public commenter spewing misogynistic accusations, a letter to the editor containing a veiled death threat, a social-media poster slinging sexualized tropes. These are moments of abhorrent action, and they have lasting effects.

Every generation is responsible for strengthening our democracy with equity, respect and fairness. It is up to us to be the change we want to see. We can be passionate but respectful in our dissent. We can be courageous but non-violent in our disagreements. What we cannot do is accept that political violence comes with the territory. Instead, we must make this behavior unacceptable. When we do, we will be able to encourage true dialogue, welcome diverse ideas, make space for underrepresented people, and ultimately grow the number of participants in our democracy.

How can we make a difference? Demonstrate respectful public discourse. Be a constructive contributor in person and online. Call out abusive and inappropriate behavior. Support a candidate or elected official. Attend public comment, not just when you’re upset but also when you want to share a word of praise. And when your representatives share what is happening, make a public display of your solidarity. You might even consider joining politics yourself – apply for a board or commission, or run for office. Above all else, engage. Don’t let the absence of your voice be your complicity.

Women’s March SLO Organizers
Dawn Addis, Andrea Chmelik, Jen Ford, Terry Parry, Pat Harris, Rita Casaverde, Gail Bunting

CO-SIGNED BY:

Elected officials:

Salud Carbajal, U.S. Congressman (CA-24)
John Laird, California State Senator (SD-17)
Bruce Gibson, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor (District 2)
Dawn Ortiz-Legg, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor (District 3)
Jimmy Paulding, Arroyo Grande Mayor Pro Tem
Lan George, Arroyo Grande City Council Member
Kristen Barneich, Arroyo Grande City Council Member
Keith Storton, Arroyo Grande City Council Member
Susan Funk, Atascadero City Council Member
Mariam Shah, Grover Beach Mayor Pro Tem
Karen Bright, Grover Beach City Council Member
John Headding, Morro Bay Mayor
Dawn Addis, Morro Bay City Council Member
Maria Garcia, Paso Robles City Council Member
Marcia Guthrie, Pismo Beach City Council Member
Heidi Harmon, San Luis Obispo Mayor
Erica A. Stewart, San Luis Obispo Vice Mayor
Andy Pease, San Luis Obispo City Council Member
Jan Marx, San Luis Obispo City Council Member
Christine Womack, Los Osos Community Service District President
Cynthia Replogle, Oceano Community Service District Director
Sandra Sarrouf, 3rd District Elected Representative, Los Osos Community Advisory Council

Organizations & Businesses:

Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund
Indivisible: Rapid Response Team SLO
Allies for Immigration Justice, SLO County
R.A.C.E. Matters SLO County
League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County
Atascadero Democratic Club
Jane Lloyd and Marie-Christine Mahe, Stonewall Democratic Club of San Luis Obispo County

Gary & Gizella Raymond

Kathy Reid

Nancy Reid

Paul Reinhardt

Bill and Lana Richmond

Amena Roalman

Rosanna Robinson

Susan C. Robinson, MD

Vicki Rogers

Virginia Roof

Phyllis Rosenfeld

Andrea Rule

Nina Russo

Melanie Sachs

Tamarra Salazar

Janet Salem

Monica Schechter

Nancy Schonfeldt

Debora Schwartz

Michelle Shoresman

Glenn Silloway

Julie Smith

Christopher Smith

Cristine Smith

Dian SousaBarbara Spagnola

Leslie Spoon

Stephanie Stackhouse

Mary Stallard

Erma Stauffer

Gary and Vallerie Steenson

Jill Stegman

Susan Stenovec

JoAnne Stoddard

Cheryl Storton

Mary Strobridge

Suzanne Sullivan

Carol Swain

Vicki Tamoush

Sasha Taus

John Taylor

Caroljean Teuffel

Kathleen Thorne

Terry Throop

Mike Toppe

Dee Torres-Hill

Manon Tree

Charles Tribbey

Kathryn Tribbey

Joyce Tseng

Darlene Tunney Rosene

Carolina Van Stone

Charles Varni

Jane Viles

Kathryn Voice

Phil Wagner

Lorraine Waldau

Allie Walter

Danielle Wheeler

Gina Whitaker

Whitefeather

Kayla Wilburn

Constance Winstead

Sharon Wood

Kara Woodruff

William Worger

Rosemary Wrenn

Bonnie Young

Priscilla Young

Mary Young

Jill ZamEk