Canada: Paul Fromm: Ex-Political Prisoner Brad Love Faces Death Threats; RCMP Do Nothing

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[Paul Fromm of CAFE sent me this. Jan]

This has not been an easy summer for political prisoner Brad Love. Even before the Fort McMurray man was released from prison on July 31, he received bad news. He was informed by the prison authorities that his car had been stolen. A former resident of the house he shares with several others, returned, broke into Brad’s room and stole his car keys and made off with his car.

When he was released, the authorities made no effort to provide transportation from the Peace River across the province to his Fort McMurray home. Fortunately, a friend travelled to the prison and gave him a ride. On reaching Fort McMurray, he learned more bad news. The police reported that his car had been found, but it had been totally trashed. Mr. Love was not even allowed to examine HIS OWN property in the pound by the the local RCMP until he paid a fee for storage. He has still not paid and has yet to see his car.

More bad news awaited Brad when he tried to access his bank account. The car thief had made off with Brad’s cheque book and written cheques for over $10,000 — until the account was emptied. Brad castigated the bank’s sloppy security. He seldom writes cheques and the signature bore no resemblance to Brad’s. The bank will eventually reimburse Brad as cashing this raft of cheques was their fault but they are taking their time.

And the car thief, forger? You would think even Inspector Clouseau could solve this case, The RCMP know his name, they have copious evidence of his thefts and forgeries. Yet, they tell Mr. Love nothing! He calls the RCMP frequently. They don’t return calls.

On August 20, a late model car with four men pulled up and confronted Mr. Love at his front door. "We’re going to fucking kill you, Love," they threatened. Mr. Love describes them as shady truck pusher types. He got their licence plate number. A few minutes later, another car appeared. It stopped and its scruffy looking occupants repeated the same threat: "We’re going to fucking kill you, Love."

Brad immediately called the police on 911. It took 90 minutes for the Mounties to answer this "emergency call." Their only excuse was: "We were waiting for backup." The Mounties explained that the threats were, well, not really actionable threats. Mr. Love could only remember the numerous times and a phone call with persistent questioning of an MPP or newspaper editor resulted in a quick visit from the RCMP and, sometimes, charges of harassment.

Three weeks have passed. No action has been taken by the RCMP against those who made threats whose licence number and address Mr. Love has provided. And, of course, they don’t return phone calls. "Those were death threats. Who’s going to protect me?" a frustrated Brad Love asks.