OPINION: Stop the Madness!

John Deaton Statement on Montano’s in Truro

U.S. Senate candidate John Deaton today condemned the harassment of Montano's in Truro, including hate mail, threats, and a hoax 911 call that sent multiple emergency vehicles and a State Police helicopter to the Cape.

"What happened to Montano's is not politics. It is intimidation of a small business, and it is a dangerous waste of emergency resources."

"A local restaurant hosted a lawful fundraiser. In return, its owners and staff got hate mail, threats, and a fake emergency call. Workers lost income. First responders were pulled away from real emergencies and used as props in someone's grudge."

"I would say exactly the same thing if this had happened to a restaurant that hosted a Democrat. You don't punish a cook, a server, or an owner because you dislike their customers. And you never tie up ambulances and police with a lie."

"In Massachusetts, we settle disagreements by debating and voting, not by trying to shut down someone's business. Families across this state are struggling with the cost of housing, energy, and groceries. That's what we should be debating: real policy to help working families get ahead, not hate and division that tear communities apart."

"Whoever made that call should be found and charged. And every leader in this state, regardless of party, should say plainly that this has no place here."