Anti-Semitic graffiti found on Highway 400 overpass
Posted September 1, 2017 12:05 pm.
Last Updated September 1, 2017 12:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Hate crime investigators with the York regional police are investigating after anti-Semitic graffiti was found on Highway 400 in Vaughan on Friday morning.
The phrase “Hitler was right!” was spray painted in neon orange paint on a concrete construction barrier near an off-ramp close to Bass Pro Mills Drive.
The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) released a statement saying they contacted police when they were alerted to the offensive material.
FSWC first found out about the graffiti after the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors posted an image on social media.
Police responded at around 8 a.m. and the graffiti was removed.
In a statement released on Friday, FSWC president and CEO Avi Benlolo said the government must take these matters more seriously.
“Hate crimes must be prosecuted and dealt with accordingly,” he said.
“These types of incidents continue to intensify, particularly against the Jewish community,” Benlolo continued. “I’m calling on community members and officials to help stop hate crimes and anti-Semitism.”
In a release, York regional police said they do not tolerate hate crime in any form.
“These kinds of crimes not only hurt the community that has been targeted, but they hurt us all. We take great pride in being one of Canada’s safest and most inclusive communities and we remain vigilant in our fight against prejudice, discrimination and hate in our community.”
Police are asking anyone with information or dashcam video footage from the area to contact them.
