TORONTO, January 18, 2011 - The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is profoundly concerned about the acts of vandalism, which were committed against a number of Montreal synagogues and a Jewish school over the past week-end.
“These cowardly acts are an ugly reminder that antisemitism is not behind us,” said Dr. Ayman Al-Yassini, CRRF Executive Director. “At a time when Canada is about to unveil the ‘Wheel of Conscience’ at Halifax’s Pier 21 to mark the lessons accruing from the tragic St. Louis incident, it is more than ever imperative to send a clear message that Canadians do not accept racists and hate mongers’ attempts to destroy the country’s democratic and inclusive fabric”, Al-Yassini added.
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) calls upon the Government of Quebec and the Service de police de la ville de Montreal to investigate these incidents as hate crimes, rather than simple acts of vandalism.