Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center Commends Toronto Police for Charges in Antisemitic Hate Crime Incident

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 28, 2013) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is pleased to learn the Toronto Police Force has charged three people in connection with a string of antisemitic hate crimes in Toronto, in which a Jewish family had its home vandalized with swastikas and threats made against their children. Neighbours of the family had their car vandalized with a swastika as well.

"The crime of mischief was hate motivated so it is classified as a hate bias crime by the police and by the legal system, although the actual charge is mischief under the criminal code," explained Detective Dale Dafoe of the Toronto Police Service.

"We are glad the Police recognize that this is a hate crime and that threats were made against the family solely because of their religion," said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo. "The youthful age of those charged, including an 18 year old and two minors, points to a lack of education and understanding, and underscores the critical need for tolerance education in our schools," he added.

CANADIAN FRIENDS OF SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTRE
With a united membership of 30,000 Canadians, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is Canada's Leading Human Rights Advocacy and Education Awareness Organization. For over 30 years, FSWC has been the Recognized Voice of Canada's foremost leaders in diversity, tolerance and human rights education. FSWC exists to promote an environment that fosters freedom and democratic values across Ontario, Canada and internationally.

View the Toronto Police Service at http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/26922.pdf