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A Wayne County Canvasser speaks out Thursday after a New Hampshire woman was accused of threatening her online.
Chair canvasser Monica Palmer says she fears for her life and that of her family after receiving violent and threatening messages in November.
“I’ve received text messages with graphic photos of naked, deceased women and then a photo of my daughter to let me know that’s going to happen to my daughter,” Palmer said at a meeting of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers.
Palmer and her 12-year-old daughter were threatened by 23-year-old Katelyn Jones after the canvasser initially voted against the result of the November 2020 election.
Lake: 23-year-old woman accused of making violent threats against Wayne County Canvasser
Jones is accused of sending Palmer various threats via text messages and Instagram, including two graphic photos of a mutilated woman’s body with a note to Palmer telling her daughter to “be afraid”. Jones was arrested by the FBI at her mother’s New Hampshire home, where she admitted sending the messages.
“The thought of … you look behind your back every moment of the day,” Palmer said of the threats. “You do not sleep.”
The threats against Palmer are the latest in a year of escalating threats of political violence and intimidation.
Most recently, armed protesters gathered outside the home of Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson; violent voicemails were left for Democratic State Representative Cynthia Johnson, who in turn called on supporters to stand up to Trump voters; and – most violent of all – a plot to kidnap and murder Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer earlier this year by alleged domestic terrorists.
On Thursday, Palmer said she is grateful that the person behind the threats to her is now behind bars, but her fear has not gone away.
‘I can’t go to the grocery store. I can’t go to Christmas shopping without fearing someone is going to get my daughter, ”Palmer said.
If convicted, Jones could face 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $ 250,000.
Palmer says she plans to stay on the Wayne County Board of Canvassers despite recent events.
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