Ottawa is standing against acts of hate. Hateful acts intended to divide communities have actually made their bonds stronger than before, activists are saying after a string of crimes in Ottawa and Toronto.
Anti-Semitic graffiti and other slurs, swastikas and “KKK,” have been found on the doors of synagogues, churches and mosques in the past few weeks.
The attacks have prompted outrage among people like Brett Parnell, president of the Israel Awareness Committee at Algonquin College.
Parnell said the graffiti “absolutely shocked” him and other members of the Jewish and Pro-Israel community on Algonquin’s campus.
Parnell, a Centretown resident, said he is glad to see people from across Ottawa banding together in the face of these hate crimes.
He said he’s “very glad to see the community together in the south end of the city this week, with people from all parts of the city supporting both our community and other targeted minority communities.”
In addition to synagogues and churches being graffitied, the home of a Jewish spiritual leader, Anna Maranta, was also spray-painted with swastikas.
She woke up to find the front door covered in Anti-Semitic slurs.
Another incident occurred just days later at Parkdale United Church, where black minister Rev. Anthony Bailey was the target of racist graffiti. The “N” word, as well as swastikas, were painted on the church door in the middle of the night.
The fight back started Nov. 19, as 600 people gathered on a Saturday morning at Machzikei Hadas synagogue in Ottawa South.
This was only two days before the synagogue had its doors defiled with swastikas, as well as other anti-Semitic words.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne were among those in attendance at the event.
This gathering of politicans and Ottawa citizens was aimed at showing how residents of the city — and those well beyond — were standing in solidarity with the targeted groups.
But it didn’t stop there.
On Nov.18, hundreds of people marched in Ottawa in an effort to resist anti-Semitic behaviour and hate speech. The walk started at the intersection of Island Park Drive and Scott Street and wound its way through the city to the Plant Recreation Centre in Little Italy.
The marchers passed the Parkdale United Church on the way.
Participants braved the elements on a snowy, cold miserable day, but nasty weather wasn’t going to stop them from showing their support.
“No matter what religion you adhere to, you have to show love and respect for everybody, and this is a good chance to prove that we are better than what some members of the community have shown recently,” said Rebecca Crawford, a former Carleton University student.
“In today’s society,” she said, “there is so much hate going on, and I really think people just need to focus on loving and respecting each other as individuals – no matter if the other’s religious or political views don’t align with your own.”
Soon after the walk was over, Ottawa Police announced that a teenager had been charged in relation to the hateful incidents across the city.
“This is still an ongoing investigation and we would not be able to give any details at this time about whether he was working solo or with other suspects,” said Const. Chuck Benoit, a spokesman with the Ottawa Police Service.
The suspect is facing multiple charges, including uttering threats to cause death and mischief to religious buildings. Because the suspect is a youth, he cannot be named.
On Nov.18, hundreds of people marched in Ottawa in an effort to resist anti-Semitic behaviour and hate speech.
The walk started at the intersection of Island Park Drive and Scott Street and wound its way through the city to the Plant Recreation Centre in Little Italy.
The marchers passed the Parkdale United Church on the way.
Participants braved the elements on a snowy, cold miserable day, but nasty weather wasn’t going to stop them from showing their support.
“No matter what religion you adhere to, you have to show love and respect for everybody,” said Rebecca Crawford, a former Carleton University student.
“And this is a good chance to prove that we are better than what some members of the community have shown recently,” she continued.
“In today’s society,” Crawford said, “there is so much hate going on, and I really think people just need to focus on loving and respecting each other as individuals — no matter if the other’s religious or political views don’t align with your own.”
Soon after the walk was over, Ottawa Police announced that a teenager had been charged in relation to the hateful incidents across the city.
“This is still an ongoing investigation and we would not be able to give any details at this time about whether he was working solo or with other suspects,” said Const. Chuck Benoit, a spokesman with the Ottawa Police Service.
The suspect is facing multiple charges, including uttering threats to cause death and mischief to religious buildings. Because the suspect is a youth, he cannot be named.