(OTTAWA) November 15, 2016 – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) condemns in the strongest possible terms an act of hate-motivated vandalism against an Ottawa-area Rabbi yesterday. A swastika and racial slur was spray-painted across the Rabbi’s door.
“Canadians will not stand for any racist or anti-Semitic hate crimes,” Ms. May said. “We were already seeing a rise in anti-Semiticism across Canada. This act of vandalism was highly personal, graffitied on an Ottawa Rabbi's home. This is deeply troubling. Any hate crime, whether or not it is prompted by the decline in basic norms of respect and civility encouraged by the election of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, must be met with a collective, united forceful response.
"It is time to recall the words of German Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984):
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Dan Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
m: (613) 614-4916