Antisemitic graffiti on Winnipeg community centre act of 'pure hatred': Jewish Federation

WARNING: This story contains references to and images of antisemitic graffiti.

Antisemitic graffiti was spray-painted on the outside of a west Winnipeg community centre during the last days of Hanukkah, in what the president of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg describes as an act of "pure hatred."

Brent McNeil, president of the Westdale Community Centre, said at least five swastikas, along with the initials "MKY," were painted on the back of the building, which is just south of Roblin Boulevard and east of the Perimeter Highway, in the Charleswood area of the city.

Two doors, two walls and fencing around an ice rink at the back of the building were tagged earlier this week, he said.

"It is disappointing at the very least.… The community centre in of itself is supposed to be a safe space for everybody in the community, regardless of who they are," McNeil told CBC Thursday.

He first spotted the graffiti himself earlier Thursday, but social media posts made reference to the graffiti as early as Tuesday.

McNeil said some utility boxes and the back of retail stores in a shopping plaza near were also spray-painted.

CBC found graffiti painted on the parking garage door of a condo building across from the community centre on Thursday. 

McNeil said this isn't the first time a building in the area has been defaced with antisemitic graffiti.  

"It's been quite frequent," he said. 

The front door of the community centre was also tagged with a swastika last month, he said. A police report was filed and city crews removed the graffiti within a day.

The centre has contacted the Winnipeg police again, and the city has been contacted for cleanup.

Winnipeg police confirmed in an email to CBC on Friday that there have been several reports of the graffiti, and that an investigation is underway.

The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg condemns the graffiti, which comes on the last days of Hanukkah, which began on Dec. 25 and ends Thursday.

"This is horrible, and not only is it aggravating and frustrating, but it is something the Jewish community is facing increasingly these days," said Jeff Lieberman, the federation's president.

"It's just pure hatred against the Jewish people."

The graffiti affects people beyond the Jewish community as well, he said, adding it's important for everyone to stand against antisemitism.

'Serious hate crime': CIJA

Gustavo Zentner, vice-president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in Manitoba, agrees.

"When we see a minority group being singled out or targeted, this is the call to action to all Winnipeggers, to all Manitobans, to all Canadians," he said.

"People should never stay silent. Those that chose to stay silent more than 70 years ago in Europe then paid the highest price, when you saw the destruction of societies" under the Nazi regime, he said.

Zentner said there has been an increase in the number of antisemitic symbols painted in Winnipeg, including hateful slogans spotted in different parts of the city over the last months.

"It's intended to create discrimination, to intimidate," by singling out members of the Jewish community and making them feel unwelcome in areas they frequent or that offer programming for them, he said.

CIJA has engaged with the Winnipeg police to provide background and collaborate on the investigation into the latest graffiti, Zentner said. 

"These actions are serious hate crimes," he said. "There is no place for hate in Manitoba."

Premier Wab Kinew took to social media Friday, calling the antisemitic graffiti an "act of hatred." He said all Manitobans stand against antisemitism and all forms of hate.