The year has started poorly for anyone who supports free speech with the murder of a dozen people at Charlie Hebdo.
To dismiss the action by characterizing it solely as an outlier, committed by radical religious elements that seek to undermine free speech through acts of terror, is to deny the attacks on free speech that occur in our own province and range from the murder of Tara Singh Hayer in 1998 to the threats of legal action against Penticton citizens.
If we do not defend the free speech we disagree with, then we cannot expect others to defend our free speech.
To my friends and former colleagues, I salute you, and thank you for continuing to do your job, despite threats of physical harm or censorship.
S. Paul Varga
Penticton