Anti-NDP Facebook page posts apology for threats to premier

The group behind an online page containing posts that threatened premier Rachel Notley has publicly apologized.

"We apologize for this ever happening to you," wrote the moderator of Albertans Against the NDP in a post Wednesday.

"This kind of behaviour is disgusting and we do not condone it under any circumstance. These people used our page to hurt you and I'm sorry that they did this to you."

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The Facebook page, which was taken down Tuesday and resurrected a day later, is one of two sites that contained vulgar and misogynic posts threatening Notley's life.

The moderator, who is not identified, said they took down the page voluntarily after discovering an offensive post.

"I was shocked to see the horrific comments the poster made. I removed it immediately and pulled the page," said the moderator.

Rather than going through thousands of posts, they have deleted them so they can "start fresh".

The group's first new post also denounced those behind the Notley comments.

"You people are scum. You are lowlifes. You are sick individuals that need to be sharing your angry feelings with a therapist, not the internet."

The group said steps have been taken, such as blocking and reporting trolls and adding filters.

RCMP will not confirm if they are investigating, but the activity is being monitored by the premier's security detail.

Notley downplayed the threats Tuesday, saying she is confident her security team is doing their job.

andrea.huncar@cbc.ca

@andreahuncar