Waterloo City Councillor Tenille Bonoguore apologizes after flipping the bird to anti-lockdown protesters

By: Broderick Visser

Written on: 2021-06-08

While several hundred anti-lockdown protesters gathered at the ‘True North Freedom Assembly,’ located at the Waterloo Public Square on Sunday, Waterloo City Councillor for Ward 7-Uptown, Tenille Bonoguore, flipped the bird to protesters.

This would have happened sometime around 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Then, later that night, just before 5 p.m. she sent out her public apology to Twitter.

and put people at risk. At the time I came across the political gathering, the main speaker hadn’t arrived yet. Out of sheer and utter frustration, and in a spontaneous act, I silently registered my private protest against this rally../

— Tenille Bonoguore (@TenilleUptown) June 6, 2021

She continues saying;

“To ensure the maskless gathering – and the main speaker who had brought it together – registered my objection to the rally. Given the lack of masks and distancing, and the fact it was an illegal gathering, I needed to communicate my displeasure from a distance to ensure I was not breaking any lockdown laws. I did so masked, silent & distanced. I want to be clear that I was acting as a frustrated private citizen and not in my capacity as a city councillor. This was not a planned communication, but was completely spontaneous.”

Tenille Bonoguore, Ward 7-Uptown Waterloo City Councillor

“I recognize that the gesture I used was generally inappropriate in a civil society and not something I’d want my children to do. I apologize for this choice of gesture [end],” she Tweeted.

Tenille Bonoguore, Ward 7-Uptown Waterloo City Councillor

While Bonoguore claims her actions were spontaneous, for some, it didn’t seem spontaneous for someone who represents that specific ward where protests have been held once each week, for eight weeks in Waterloo.

Additionally, you claim this was spontaneous? You knew this peaceful assembly was happening both from the news article published a week ago asking people not to go and Redman, your colleague commented on it.

— Jennifer (@Jguuties) June 7, 2021

You just “happened to be biking by” eh? It’s like this event wasn’t advertised or anything right? Seems a little to planned for me? Maybe you should have bikes in another direction since you clearly new this was planned .

— jack (@jackswan2019) June 7, 2021

Some on Twitter have asked her to resign and others say she was not acting as a private citizen, calling her behaviour “appalling.”

You should resign

— New Age Commie (@jayyybarius) June 7, 2021

You are not a private citizen and your behaviour was appalling.

— Ted 1969 (@Ted19692) June 7, 2021

One Twitter user called her actions immature, saying she has “no leadership.”

Wow. You’re a government official giving peaceful protesters the finger? So… your response to something you don’t agree with is to tell them to F off? No class. Very immature. No leadership. Why didn’t you stop and talk to the protesters? Ask them why they’re so upset

— Pes (@Pes04583469) June 7, 2021

Classless and immature!
You're a public servant.
Grow up! pic.twitter.com/7nQAwSO1RM

— "What's my name? Booyah!" (Edited) (@LovesCanada8) June 7, 2021

A few users pointed out the fact that she had flipped the bird at her own constituents who pay her wages.

Wow! That’s a city councillor?😳brutal. And hilarious to hear her try to justify it and make it sound like she simply stood silently🙄those are her constituents. They pay her wages.
Unacceptable.
Shame.

— heather (@howisthismylif) June 7, 2021

Many others had displeasure with her actions, while a number of others in her Twitter feed praised her for it.

Diverge Media has reached out to Bonoguore with questions and for comment but only received the following response;

“I am not speaking further with any media. My statement on Twitter is all I will be issuing. Regards, Tenille.”

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