RUMBLE
Kevin J. Johnston hosts a show, Rumble, where he engages in discussions on various topics, often focusing on controversial issues and current events. His channel features a variety of content, including interviews, debates, and commentary, reflecting his views on freedom, politics, and social issues.
The show includes segments where he explores the impact of media narratives on public perception and Johnston engages in live discussions with guests on pressing topics. Recently he hosted an episode interviewing City of Pickering Councillor Lisa Robinson.
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[Personal comment: I watched as much of the Robinson episode as I could tolerate. Though never having seen any of Kevin Johnston’s broadcasts before, it is clearly evident he is one of those media personalities who promote themselves as doing community public service by promoting certain political views. In my opinion, the views are ceaselessly negative, aggressive, and interspersed endlessly with derogatory, insulting and offensive labels.
He is the type of media figure many principled people would oppose and wish to silence. However, rather than silencing them, we need to speak out against them and emphasize how they are hate-mongers pandering to the baser-level people of our society.
No legitimate, ethical interviewer would justify the use and voicing of labels such as “morbidly obese pedophile,” “dumb looking face,” “crazy look on her face,” “psychopath,” or “leftist scumbag” to people being interviewed or who are being discussed. No ethical or principled interviewer would justify the use of phrases such as “deserves a baseball bat in the face,” “LGBTQ loser who doesn’t pay any property taxes,” or calling a political candidate, Bonnie Crombie, “a psychopath.”
Comments about a person’s appearance are reprehensible, unwarranted and unacceptable. Extreme labels such as “psychopath” and “pedophile” are examples of free speech taken too far.
But that may be the raison d’etre of shows of this kind: not to present facts but to rile people into accepting and believing this kind of material. This may explain the development of such unreasonable support for politicians like T****, campaigning for re-election as the United States President.
These kinds of shows should be allowed if we are adherents of free speech. However, the general public needs explanation, cautioning and forewarning as to what is being viewed. These are hate-mongers promoting a hate-filled agenda and should be highlighted as such.
_________________________________Richard Szpin]
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Mayor & Council’s Statement
on Councillor Robinson’s Rumble Video
Pickering, ON, August 7, 2024 – We, the Mayor and Members of Pickering City Council, are deeply troubled by Councillor Lisa Robinson’s recent appearance on Kevin J. Johnston’s online show on Rumble, a far-right video content platform. Johnston is a notorious figure who has served time in jail, owes millions of dollars in court-ordered damages to victims of his lies, and is currently a fugitive from Canadian law, having fled to Panama. The platform that hosts the show is itself infamous for promoting hate speech, misinformation, and extremist views, crossing all boundaries of decency and legality.
During the broadcast, the host published the names, pictures, and personal phone numbers of Council Members, falsely and dangerously labelling us as “pedophiles”, “Nazis”, and “Fascists”, explicitly stating that we “deserve a baseball bat to the face”; suggesting that a vicious and powerful dog be let loose at City Council meetings to attack and maim us; and expressing the need for 70s biker types with big biceps and scarred knuckles to remove us by force. This inflammatory, defamatory, and violent rhetoric is not only reprehensible but also poses a direct threat to our safety and the safety of our families.
Councillor Robinson’s decision to appear on such a show, fully aware of Johnston’s history and the nature of his platform, is irresponsible, unethical, and dangerous – and in clear violation of the Council Code of Conduct. We will be filing a joint complaint to the Integrity Commissioner for this most recent breach. Despite Johnston’s claim that his views were his own, Councillor Robinson’s participation and her supportive nodding to Johnston’s comments is an implied endorsement of the vile and dangerous views expressed during the broadcast. This includes the podcast’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, the host’s vilification of Black Lives Matter, and the broader spread of hate-filled ideologies that have no place in our community.
Throughout the broadcast, the host mocked the physical appearance of Members of the Council, made numerous defamatory statements towards multiple individuals, and used increasingly violent language. Instead of refuting or condemning these reprehensible comments, Councillor Robinson often smiled, chuckled, or nodded her head in agreement throughout. Her willingness to align herself with such an individual and imply her support of his dangerous views is very alarming.
This behaviour is particularly disturbing in light of the recent Toronto Star story detailing Councillor Robinson’s courting of far-right extremists. Despite her public denials, her appearance on this show and her ongoing conduct makes it clear that she is aligning herself with ideologies that are diametrically opposed to the values of inclusivity, respect, and dignity that we uphold in Pickering.
Councillor Robinson claims she is merely ‘giving a voice’ to her constituents. We know this is not true. We listen to our residents, and we know that the overwhelming majority oppose her views. Instead of listening to her constituents, we feel Councillor Robinson is exploiting these extreme views in a blatant effort to boost her public profile. Many of her constituents have denounced her actions, yet she refuses to consider or accept their perspectives, choosing instead to endorse dangerous and divisive far-right rhetoric.
Since her election to office, Councillor Robinson has opposed Pride events, denounced Black History Month, questioned the integrity of Durham Regional Police, and fostered division within our city. These actions have not only disrupted the business of our municipality but have also created an environment of fear and intimidation, which has been intensified by her participation in this podcast. Over the past year, we have all received volatile and hateful emails and messages from Councillor Robinson’s supporters. Collectively, we have received threats of violence, ranging from assault to even death.
We are concerned that Councillor Robinson’s appearance on this extremist’s show will only incite more violent attitudes and behaviours. In addition to our personal safety and well-being, we are also concerned about our families, City staff, and various members of our community who have been undeservedly and irresponsibly called out in this video.
It is also important to note that Councillor Robinson has previously been found in violation of the City’s Code of Conduct by the Integrity Commissioner. As a consequence, her Council pay was docked in an effort to punish and deter such unethical behaviour. However, she has been actively soliciting donations and funding from far-right sources, as demonstrated by her appearance on platforms like Rumble. In this video, she admits to receiving funding from her ideological supporters, but there is no accounting or disclosure of the monies she is receiving. We are deeply concerned that her acceptance of these funds makes her even more vulnerable to extreme and dangerous influences that could originate from the U.S. and other jurisdictions outside of Canada.
This situation highlights a fundamental flaw under the Municipal Act. A sitting member of the municipal council should not be able to freely solicit and accept money without transparency or accountability. This lack of oversight could potentially invite influence peddling, bribery, and corruption. As Councillor Robinson continues to receive this funding without any disclosure or accountability, we believe the Government of Ontario should take immediate action to close this glaring loophole and amend the Municipal Act to allow for stricter sanctions beyond suspension of pay. We will be issuing a formal request to Premier Doug Ford and MPP Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Kevin Ashe, Mayor
Maurice Brenner, Regional Councillor, Ward 1
Linda Cook, Regional Councillor, Ward 2
David Pickles, Regional Councillor, Ward 3
Mara Nagy, City Councillor, Ward 2
Shaheen Butt, City Councillor, Ward 3
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COMMENTS
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This type of hate trash is nothing that I want in our neighbourhood, city, province or country of Canada.
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