The Peter Silverman Attack: Your Response

After we aired video of an attack on CityNews' Peter Silverman , we were overwhelmed with your response. Many of you wrote to make sure he was O.K. (He is.)

Others wanted to thank our 75-year-old ombudsman for his hard work all these years.

And at least one took issue with who was really to blame.

Here's a random sample of your letters about the latest twist in this incredible story.

"I was confident that persons like you at any age will not be shaken easily. As shown on the video you looked like you are ready to defend yourself, like you have defended many others. 

I send you this e-mail with a tremendous amount of respect and I wish this does not happen again.

God bless you."
Matt Hanna

Your number one viewer
Khatra

"Stay on the counterfeit issue.  The film industry is about to get hit hard because of Canada's inaction, more industries will follow."
Warren Campbell

"I have admired you for years.  You're an inspiration."
Tim Gilbert

"I saw on BT that someone attacked you. I am just passing on that I am glad you are ok! You do amazing things for the "Little Guy". I am glad you are safe and that that  man was arrested."
Brenden Sherratt

"I was wondering when someone would be so stupid to attack you on camera ... Whoever said stardom has its highs and lows!

Keep up the good work."
Don J Turner

"My mother LOVES watching your show and an eerie silence blankets the living room whenever you're on TV. She watches you online, too. So do I.

"Dude, you're nuclear!"
Kathy in Thornhill

"I wanted to express my heartfelt support of Peter Silverman and all that he does for this city. I watch his segments regularly and find myself grateful for his continuous quest for accountability and setting things right."
Sylvia in Etobicoke

"Just sending a little note saying I hope you're okay. Good for you for fighting back.  We need more people like you out there looking out for us.  You are truly a hero."
Jennifer Walsh

"The public sometimes does not realize the value of journalists and the risks that they take to protect the public and also to protect democracy as we know it.

This recent incident is a reminder to all that our journalists have a commitment that exposes them to real risks right here in our hometown!

Thanks to you and the people you work with for your efforts."
Dave

And just in case you think it was all positive, there's this entry:

"Peter Silverman, you should be ashamed of yourself. You drove this man to the boiling point for the sake of  TV footage. A simple warning to the public would have sufficed. Shame on Peter and shame on Citytv!"
Brian Spragg

Incredibly, out of the nearly 100 emails we received, that was the only one that was negative.

The Silverman Helps team's response to it?

"He couldn't be more wrong," insists producer Terry O'Keefe. "That was the last thing that Peter was trying to do or what Silverman Helps is trying to do. We try to help people who had paid a lot of money for a product they had not received."

But our favourite comment had to come from a young man outside the GTA. It was short and sweet, but said it all in three short words.

"You Rock Peter!!!"
David, age 14,
Cambridge.

Thanks for all your emails. Peter and his Silverman Helps team are overwhelmed by your kind response.

"One of the things that surprised me and touched me deeply is the number of emails we got, people saying, 'are you okay? Are you fine?'" Peter reveals. "That level of support and kudos really surprised me in a lot of ways. It's great for the ego but it's very humbling."

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