Hate crime unit investigates antisemitic vandalism on courthouse

Ottawa police's hate crime unit is investigating a slew of graffiti vandalism on the sides of Ottawa City Hall and the neighbouring provincial courthouse.

Police say they were called to the area of LaurierAvenue West and Elgin Street around 8:20 a.m.Monday where someone sprayed antisemitic graffiti.

More vandalism was found on Ottawa City Hall, including a reference to Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson calling him a "fraud."The mayor's office is located inside the building.

Both the Jewish Federation of Ottawa andB'naiBrith Canada condemned the graffiti.

"The swastika is a symbol of the murder of millions of Jews, and the terrorization of millions more," Andrea Freedman, CEO of the Jewish Federation wrote in a statement.

She said the symbols are used as intimidation tactics against Jews and as a means of appropriating their trauma. "It must stop," she said.

B'naiBrith Canada said this incident is just one example of adisturbingincrease in online hate, and it called for a Holocaust Remembrance across the country "to combat Jew-hate in educational systems."

WATCH | Police hate crime unit investigating graffiti at Ottawa City Hall and provincial courthouse

Police hate crime unit investigating graffiti at Ottawa City Hall and provincial courthouse

3 years ago

Duration 0:43

Ottawa police say theyre investigating after antisemitic graffiti was found on the side of the Elgin Street courthouse and on its sign Monday morning. Graffiti calling Mayor Jim Watson a fraud was also found on Ottawa City Hall.

Police investigating similar incidents

This vandalism is just the latest in a string of recent incidents involving hateful messaging targeting Jewish people in Ottawa.

Last week, police said they were investigatingeight incidents ofposters with hateful and antisemitic messages placed in public areas around the city, including a skatepark in thewest end.

• Police investigate antisemitic posters found around Ottawa

Anyone with information about any of the incidents isasked to contact the Ottawa police hate crime unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5015.