I was shocked and appalled when I learned the ONDP was taking further action against Jessa McLean, its most valuable critic, and quickly wrote this petition -- the original text is at the bottom.  Since then Mike Hyde has compiled a more careful statement which we both endorse:

"Joint Letter from Adam Golding, author of the Drop The Witchhunt (Against Jessa McLean by the ONDP) petition, and supporter of the Free the NDP petition with almost 300 signatures, and Mike Hyde, supporter of the Drop the Witchhunt Petition and Free the NDP petition. 

We are writing in outrage over the NDP membership suspension of Jessa McLean. She is an individual who ran for Party President at the last NDP federal convention and the last Ontario NDP provincial convention, and they are going after her for criticising the party. What the heck is wrong with these people? Power-hungry instead of rewarding those who do grassroots organizing of their own?

Jessa McLean is a critic of corruption and has been smeared by lies with the intention of denying her a voice. Should we as the New Democratic Party stay true to our middle name and be Democratic, or should our middle name be Despotic, Demagogic, Deceitful or Dictatorial, so as to be more appropriate and accurate? I just called them and asked how to complain as a member, they will email the rules outlining how to do so. Flood the phones right now: 416-591-8637.

Jessa McLean has written that "The Federal NDP needs a Culture shift at the Top" describing how the party’s grassroots members feel stifled and excluded. She maintains a popular weekly chat among NDP members, called NewDemoChat, and hosts a Podcast series entitled "Inside the NDP" that critiques the party's tactics and principles. What thanks does she get for providing an alternative viewpoint and gathering momentum? The party's top brass has replied by subjecting her to out-and-out lies, manipulations, smears and fabrications without the slightest appearance of truth. They feel threatened by her grassroots appeal and criticisms. Indeed, the NDP brass has been instrumental in undermining party democracy through centralization of control, marginalization of Riding Associations and members, while interfering with equity committees, and manipulating the vetting and nomination process.

The NDP must immediately restore Jessa McLean's membership. There is a growing effort from within to reform the left in Canada, and authoritarianism only slows this process down -- the faster we reform, the faster we WIN.

We call on party members and supporters to phone the Ontario NDP and ask to file a formal complaint as a member of the party about the party going after Jessa McLean, host of the excellent podcast Blueprints of Disruption, which I recommend to everyone! Check this tweet out.

We petitioners demand they drop their witch hunt against Jessa McLean!

Sincerely,
Adam Golding and Mike Hyde
adamgolding@gmail.com
"

[ORIGINAL PETITION TEXT:

Everyone,

Check this tweet out: https://twitter.com/adamgolding/status/1590763033214980096

[And now this article: 
https://www.qpbriefing.com/2022/11/10/former-new-democrat-activist-says-investigation-against-her-is-an-attack]

[And now this episode] 

I had to explain it to my friend over DMs:

Them: "What happened?"

Me: "they are going after jessa mclean for criticising the party
 
calling it 'harassment'
 
her podcast is amazing

it's called 'Blueprints of Disruption'"

Please phone the Ontario NDP and ask to file a formal complaint as a member of the party about the party going after Jessa McLean, host of the excellent podcast Blueprints of Disruption, which I recommend to everyone!  Between blueprints, newdemochat, and The Socialist Alliance there is a growing effort from within to reform the left in Canada, and authoritarianism only slows this process down -- the faster we reform, the faster we WIN.  So let's get on it and tell the ONDP they got it really wrong on this one!  Demand they drop their witch hunt against Jessa McLean!

When you call, ask them to send you the written rules that explain how party members can file complaints about what central party is doing, they may not exist: 416-591-8637

Also email respect@ontariondp.ca

Cheers,
Adam Golding
--
adamgolding.ca
]