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 toward 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 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 nonviolent 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.
Dawn Addis
Andrea Chmelik
Jen Ford
Terry Parry
Pat Harris
Rita Casaverde
Gail Bunting
Womens March SLO organizers
This article appears in Mar 11-21, 2021.
So freedom of speech is good when business is shut down due to the threats, illegal blocking of business doors and vulgarity but it is bad when directed at our elected officials that support thos actions.
What a bunch of WHINY people! I would need a huge wheel of cheese for all the WHINING that I am reading in this article. When you take a public stance expect the attention that it attracts, both positive and negative. Have the intestinal fortitude to stand by what you say (if you really believe it) and give the finger to anyone who threatens you. Don’t whine that people should BE NICE or that you need protection from those verbal barbs invoked by those who vehemently disagree. Life is a full contact beat your teeth in endeavor, not a 5 year old child’s participation soccer game and if you’re too soft to be involved get out of the way. This time in society is becoming a more threatening and violent one, it won’t change because you are SCARED! Like we used to say as kids, “quit crying SISSIES!”.
The faux outrage of this privileged white politician…this is rich. Where were you when many sent you several emails about these attacks by your LIBERAL WHITE FRIENDS which the FBI is definitely eyeing now. Dawn Addis’ liberal WHITE colleagues Cynthia Replogle, Charles Varni, Passport Boy, and A J Dury as well as other conspirators are accused of assault, harassment, stalking, battery, hate crimes, and civil rights violations against a protected person, several residents, and two elected officials. Women’s March on SLO has already been labeled a failure. This mindless militant woman’s organization led an attack against other women, yes other women. And then they exploited men, and minorities last year during election season. Those who dared to think for themselves were excommunicated from Women’s March SLO’s annual Paella Wine Mixer. You lost the election Dawn. Lick your wounds and move on with your crocodile tears. Your Paella Pity Party is over.
Apparently this shame list Dawn is ghosting certainly should include Dawn Addis’ white militant bosom buddy CYNTHIA REPLOGLE, who terrorized minority and disabled veterans with A GIANT TASER GUN during her uninvited appearance at a PEACEFUL public beach rally this week. Yes your LIBERAL WHITE FRIENDS. Stop projecting fear and hate. Stop playing the victim when your friends are the predators. News flash, men, minorities, and disabled people are allowed to thinkn for themselves and be politically assertive without hostility and manipulation from the WOMANS MARCH SLO. You do not speak for all women. Womans March SLO represents the desire of privileged white apologists , NARCISSISTS, and female predators. MINORITIES DO NOT REQUIRE THE GREAT WHITE FEMALE SAVIOR TO MAKE CHOICES OR SPEAK FOR US. ALLENE VILLA RUNNING AROUND LIKE A TORTURED VICTIM DOESN’T HELP MINORITIES. SHE TOO IS A TOOL. STOP EXPLOITING MINORITIES. SIGNED, MINORITY.
The first person I think to help me is myself, not Dawn Addis, nor her group of militant white liberal overprivileged women who think they can singlehandedly save the minority world and environment without any professional experience nor any real political support and influence. Nope, I think of calling my buddy who is appellate attorney on the 9th District Court of Appeals who has argued cases in the United States Supreme Court, not once but twice. In addition to being a senior partner in the law firm which represents most of the cities in this county, he is currently vetting the next round of judges. He told me that all of those named mentioned above, April Dury, Passport Boy, Charles Varni, et el, are in deep shit with the FBI. I don’t require your false narrative nor your glib media redress. If I have a real problem with anyone in this county, I pick up the phone and call my former CIA handler in Florida to take care of any gang member of Sheriff Deputy that gets out of line. We don’t require a bunch of women WITHOUT ANY SUBSTANTIVE POLITICAL INFLUENCE, who suffer from politically induced personality disorders, undiagnosed psychosis, and self control issues, who demand to have influence over our lives and our belief systems, to speak on our behalf. My family members refuse to be victimized and misrepresented by a group of LIBERAL WHITE SUPREMACIST FILTH FROM THE GUTTER. This is America, get used to being called gutter trash. You are the predators.
The real story. Oceano Community Services District Board Director Cynthia Replogle allegedly placed a razor blade in her own tire after learning she was under FBI investigation for conspiring and leading an assault to terrorize and batter a federally protected person. This ghosted story by Dawn Addis and Woman’s March SLO can be traced back to her next door neighbor who she terrorized for the past two years has a camera which runs 24/7 which is also visible to Ms. Replogle’s auto. Replogle’s own neighbor claims she is lying after reviewing his home surveillance video. Sheriff Office has no evidence to verify Ms. Replogle’s FALSE CLAIM about a stranger placing a razor blade in her tire. This account can be verified by the SLO County Board of Supervisors. Her neighbors, whom I know, claimed Cynthia placed a razor blade in her own tire after residents in the community complained about her bizarre and oftentimes physically aggressive and verbally intimidating behaviors. Cynthia Replogle a current board member who’s job it is to bring people together has divided her neighbors and service people. Cynthia Vs. 24th Street, Cynthia vs. UPS, Cynthia vs. US Mail, Cynthia vs. Dune Riders, Cynthia vs. Hindus, Cynthia vs. Evil Veterans, Cynthia vs. White America, Cynthia vs. Blue Lives Matter, Cynthia vs. Environmental Scientists, – essentially Cynthia is a divider who refuses to compromise. Now none of her neighbors on 24th Street can receive packages because she blocked the postal delivery drivers from driving on her block – citing noise and air pollution as reasons for her disabled neighbors to walk down the block to pick up their packages at the corner. Cynthia Replogle is a selfish little narcissist. When her ego is triggered she is known to attack residents if they criticize her psychotic behavior. Replogle has been banned from a retail store in Pismo Beach after she allegedly terrorized two teenaged girls who dared to cross her. This type of behavior will not be tolerated by anyone. Anecdotal Evidence speaks louder than victimization role playing and shady cover stories.
Cynthia Replogle must disarm! This is not Bakersfield.