Rushanara Ali stated that MPs are experiencing industrial levels of intimidation and harassment, with a disturbing increase in hostility impacting political participation among young individuals.
Beginning in March 2024, a woman identified in court documents as Victim 1 and her family member, Victim 2, began receiving threatening phone calls and text messages demanding $150,000 and warning they were not safe.
Councilmembers Newell Arnerich and Robert Storer have utilized intimidation tactics to remove active members from local commissions, undermining democratic participation in city governance.