Winnipeg’s Jewish community alarmed following second hate incident in recent weeks

Another targeted incident on Winnipeg’s Jewish community has left families in shock. On Monday, hateful graffiti was discovered here at Kelvin High School, the latest in a disturbing string of hateful incidents reported across the city in recent weeks.

The Winnipeg School Division says they were alerted to the incident early Saturday morning. They say they then discovered swastika graffiti on the building, which, as of Wednesday afternoon, have been covered.

“We wanted to make sure that people felt secure and safe. So we took prompt action to not only connect with the police, but with the Jewish community leaders, and just to alert all parents in the community as well,” said Matt Henderson, the superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division.

Winnipeg police told CityNews Wednesday, that the incident is being investigated by the major crimes unit.

Henderson says that, while now covered, the antisemitic graffiti did cause a disturbance in the community.

“People are feeling anxious any time a swastika ends up on a building or anywhere. Anytime there is a hate crime, it makes us all pause and feel really uncomfortable,” said Henderson.

This incident comes after a synagogue on Wellington Crescent was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti on Friday.

The Winnipeg Jewish community calls it an alarming trend.

“It’s really alarming. It’s disturbing for a Jewish community. We don’t feel safe and secure. And jews are being targeted just because they are Jewish,” said Jeff Lieberman, the President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.

“It’s shocking to see both incidents that occurred this week.”

According to the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, these recent incidents show a wider picture, saying that hate incidents have been on the rise in the past couple of years.

“About one in six Canadians report that they have been the victim of a hate incident in the past year,” said Evan Balgord, the executive director of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network.

Lieberman says, “It’s really important to feel that support now, and we really appreciate it. And just to say that we won’t be intimidated by these acts of hate.”