> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Harassment is democracy’s destruction: Op-ed - URL: https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/2026/10/29/community/harassment-is-democracys-destruction-op-ed/ - Published: 2026-10-29T18:22:31.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-29T18:22:31.000Z - Description: In today's guest essay, 11 current and former Berkeley elected officials condemn political intimidation and harassment. - Author: Guest Essay - Tags: Community, Guest Essays, Elections, City Council, #articles *Editor's Note: TBS publishes guest essays from community members on issues of concern. Today's piece was written by seven former Berkeley officials, including Jesse Arreguín, Tom Bates and Loni Hancock, and four sitting council members.* --- Something troubling is happening in Berkeley's political life, and it should concern us regardless of where we fall on the political spectrum. As public officials, we expect criticism. We expect tough questions, frustrated constituents and organized opposition; that comes with the job. We should not have to fear for our safety. Yet harassment, stalking and threats have increasingly become part of public life in Berkeley and across the country. If we begin to accept such behavior as simply another form of political participation, we risk driving good people away from public service and damaging the democracy we claim to value. We saw this in January 2024, when Councilmember Rigel Robinson resigned from the [Berkeley City Council](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/topic/berkeley-city-council/) and ended his campaign for mayor. Robinson said he had endured [years of escalating harassment, stalking and threats](https://www.berkeleyside.org/2024/01/09/rigel-robins-berkeley-resignation-city-council-peoples-park?ref=berkeleyscanner.com). He said he had been followed, received threatening messages at his home and feared for the safety of himself and his loved ones. Now another Berkeley council member says he is facing similar disturbing behavior. On Oct. 20, Councilmember Igor Tregub described an incident involving someone who, he said, used a false name to sign up as a volunteer for his re-election campaign and later [followed him while videotaping](https://www.facebook.com/igor.tregub.17874/posts/pfbid0GBL9L7kKpwq9xso3sCiTgd1QjbRgPbEbZiNcNf1y3zftnwQLufmAiecJPJ6GC1jSl) and repeatedly confronting him. A video subsequently posted on social media shows Tregub declining to engage and walking away while the individual continues to follow and badger him with questions. After the video circulated online, Tregub reported "a spike in death threats and hate speech." Whatever one's views of Robinson or Tregub, this threatening behavior should not be tolerated. Threats, stalking and deliberate intimidation are not more passionate versions of political speech. Their purpose — and too often their effect — is to frighten people, silence them or drive them from public life. This is not simply a Berkeley problem. Research from [Princeton University's Bridging Divides Initiative](https://bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/updates/2026/survey-local-elected-officials-threats-and-harassment-q1-2026?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) found that 54% of local elected officials surveyed in the first quarter of 2026 experienced insults, harassment, threats or attacks. Even more disturbing, 43% said concerns about hostility made them less willing to run for re-election. We have also seen where political violence can lead. In June 2025, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were [assassinated in their home](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/minnesota-lawmaker-and-her-husband-killed-in-politically-motivated-shooting-walz-says?ref=berkeleyscanner.com) in an attack authorities described as politically motivated. We should not wait for tragedy before deciding that the norms governing political behavior matter. When people considering public office conclude that serving their community means exposing themselves or their families to stalking and threats, all of us lose. The potential pool of public servants becomes smaller. People become less willing to tackle controversial issues. And intimidation begins to accomplish what argument and elections are supposed to decide. Berkeley has always been a city of passionate political engagement. We should celebrate that tradition. But passion is not a license for intimidation. We should condemn threats against candidates and officials — both those whom we support and those whom we oppose. That is the standard a democratic community should set. Democracy requires disagreement. It should never require fear. Signed, Jesse Arreguín, State Senator and former Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, former Assemblymember and Berkeley Mayor Brent Blackaby, Berkeley Councilmember Sophie Hahn, former Berkeley Councilmember Loni Hancock, former State Senator and former Berkeley Mayor Rashi Kesarwani, Berkeley Councilmember Linda Maio, former Berkeley Councilmember Shoshana O'Keefe, Berkeley Councilmember Terry Taplin, Berkeley Councilmember Susan Wengraf, former Berkeley Councilmember Gordon Wozniak, former Berkeley Councilmember --- **The Scanner will periodically publish** [**guest essays**](https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/author/guest-essays/) **from community members on issues of interest or concern. 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