Peter Silverman Attack Video Generates Comments From Around The World
Posted February 12, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It is, quite literally, the shot heard around the world.
The story of how CityNews reporter Peter Silverman was attacked during a story shoot last Wednesday has become the stuff of legend in most of Ontario.
And after CNN picked up the footage over the weekend, it’s now been seen in cities and towns that would otherwise have never heard of Silverman Helps.
By now you know the tale – our ombudsman has been investigating a local optician for allegedly selling counterfeit glasses frames and conducting eye exams he may not have been qualified to perform.
So when Peter received a call from the man at the centre of the story, Adam Plimmer, offering an olive branch, he quickly went to see the store proprietor.
That’s when he was hit with a door, punched, spit on, sworn at, and had snow tossed in his direction. The entire sequence was caught on tape and it’s that tape that has been bringing the 75-year-old reporter worldwide acclaim for the way he stood up to a man more than 40 years younger than he is.
No one is more surprised by the commotion than Peter himself, who was interviewed on the worldwide network on Saturday.
“I have no idea why it’s achieved this kind of reaction,” he admitted to CityOnline Monday. “I honestly don’t. I never expected it … Maybe it’s because I’ve become a poster boy for retirees, you know, all over the place. People are saying, ‘hey, you cracked 65. You can still punch it out with somebody.'”
One caller compared Peter to Mighty Mouse, a statement he didn’t take as something of a left handed compliment.
Others wanted to know how the former British army member managed to keep his cool through the ordeal.
“The only time he really annoyed me was twice,” Peter responds. “One when he went after our camera guy, Bill Atanasoff and that’s when I grabbed him and heaved him back. The other time is when he spit at me. I think I was going to have a shot at him there but he went and hid behind the door.
“Other than that, what you’re thinking, do I — to put it bluntly: do I deck this guy or does one of us have to keep his cool, and I’m the reporter and I have a professional aura or persona, so maybe it’s a little better if I keep my cool, and as long as I can deal with the situation where I’m not really getting that hurt, then we can just go on as it is.”
The situation has made Peter a hero in many places, but there’s at least one where it’s created trouble – at home. His wife and daughters were both angry that they didn’t know about the encounter until it actually aired and they’re still worried about his welfare.
Apparently, you are, too. Since the video went up on CityNews.ca last Wednesday, it has been viewed more than 123,000 times on this site alone. Combine it with the YouTube and CNN postings and those numbers are closer to 175,000. (To see it, click here.)
We’ve already highlighted what local viewers had to say about this bizarre battle. Here’s how some who’ve watched it from afar reacted to it.
“Having recently retired from the Pennsylvania State Police after twenty-five years, I can imagine what you went through during this ordeal. What was interesting to me was the fact that you never egged this man on, only returning to his store after he left you a voice mail indicating that he changed his ways.
In this world that we live in today, one must be careful. He could have had a gun, knife or other weapon and this incident could have escalated. Too bad for him, he chose to utilize his fists and voice as weapons and was subsequently arrested after a short standoff with police.
May God Bless you and keep you safe (especially in your line of work).”
Bill Cruz
“The news shown on TV in Taiwan too. We love you Peter!”
Danny Bloom
“This is GREAT! Mr. Silverman is a tough gentleman. We will keep watching via the Internet for future installments!”
Francis Family Quartet
Fresno, California
“You are very brave! Thanks for the report. I found it on CNN and watched it here in Belgium.”
Thomas Freeman
Also, you have helped tear down the myth that journalists are mainly composed of a bunch of wimps.
For a column I wrote a few years ago, I stepped into the boxing ring for an amateur boxing competition. Thank goodness I won and didn’t have to write about getting my butt kicked to my readers.”
Christian Giggenbach
Reporter/Columnist
The Register-Herald
… It is nice to see a guy who won’t back down at any age.
You are now on my list of 10 guys I think kick ass … Right between Dion Phaneuf and Gene Simmons and that’s some pretty talented company! You are something of a new Canadian folk hero.”
Trevor Majeski
Calgary Alberta
And finally a note that proves that while the attack happened here, it could have been a lot worse.
“Caught you on Channel 4 in Jacksonville Florida. As a relocated Torontonian, nice to see things haven’t changed too much. Year to date, in Jacksonville, over 20 murders and 3 police shootings. I miss T.O.”
Ken May
Sign up for a del.icio.us account here to save your bookmarks for free online.
