In reaction to recent developments on a case of anti-Jewish graffiti in Toronto and the discovery of anti-Chinese graffiti in Markham, Canadian Race Relations Foundation has urged all citizens to be on the look out for these acts of often hate-motivated vandalism.
Rubin Friedman, spokesperson for the CRRF, stated that, "We are pleased that the ongoing hard work of the Toronto police has resulted in the reported arrest of a suspect in the case of anti-Jewish vandalism in one neighbourhood. It is clear that the police took this behaviour seriously."
"We are also pleased that police have already started their investigation into the case of anti-Chinese vandalism on a Canada Post Street Box in Markham. Whatever the age of the perpetrators in this and other cases, the message must be sent that vandalism is a crime and that hate motivation makes it all the more serious as it undermines the sense of safety and security that the all members of the targeted group may feel in their own local communities."
Albert Lo, Chairperson of the CRRF noted that, "CRRF works towards creating a society marked the values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and mutual respect among all Canadians. Dealing clearly and directly with hate crimes is an essential tool to help realize that goal."
Friedman, a former trainer on Hate and Hate Crime, urged all citizens to be aware of instances of vandalism and hate crimes and to report them immediately. "We must all speak out to let perpetrators know their behaviour and their agenda are totally rejected."
Rubin Friedman, Spokesperson for CRRF, 647-403-8625