More anti-Semitic graffiti in Calgary

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By Salim Jiwa

CALGARY, Alberta – Even as Calgary’s Jewish community expressed shock and horror over the defacing of several important institutions including the Holocaust War Memorial, police report another disturbing case of hate graffiti.

“The Calgary Police Service is investigating another disturbing case of vandalism, this time in the city’s southeast,” said a police.

While investigators do not believe this incident is connected to vandalism at the Calgary Jewish Centre, Holocaust memorial, and Chabad Lubavitch centre, some of the signs and words are anti-Semitic, police said.

That is likely to be small comfort to a community that is still reeling from hate spewed through a spray can.

Extensive damage was caused at the Calgary Jewish Community Centre, the Holocaust Memorial and the Chabad Lubavitch Centre during the incident on Saturday Nov. 14 when a vehicle drove up and a suspect sprayed hate words and drew Swastikas on signs and walls.

“The Jewish community of Calgary is shocked and horrified at the anti-Semitic graffiti. It is horrifying that such hateful messages were spray-painted on religious institutions and particularly on the Holocaust memorial monument,” said Judy Shapiro, a spokeswoman for the Calgary Jewish Community Council in an emailed response.

“For a memorial to those who perished at the hands of the Nazis to be desecrated by swastikas in 2009 is repugnant. We hope that the culprits will be caught and brought to justice,” she said.

“This is a hate crime against the Jewish community but it is also an affront to all the citizens of Calgary. It is an attack on the values we all hold dear – the acceptance of diversity and respect for difference,” Shapiro said.

Calgary police said the second spray painting of anti-Semitic and anti-institutional graffiti occurred on Tuesday evening between 5:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. in multiple location in the Sundance area, including Sundance Elementary School and MidSun School.

“Numerous fences and vehicles on Sunvale Crescent S.E., were also vandalized with spray paint,” said a police statement.

Other sayings, including “School Sucks” and “Down with Institutions” were also scrawled on the school’s walls in addition to anti -Jewish slogans.

Investigators have recovered a can of spray paint and will be sending it away for testing. Officers are also canvassing the area looking for witnesses, surveillance video, or anyone with information about this incident.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call District 8 at 403-567-6800, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1 -800-222-8477, or you can submit a tip online at www.calgarycrimestoppers.org.

“The Calgary Police Service is investigating another disturbing case of vandalism, this time in the city’s southeast,” said a police.

That is likely to be small comfort to a community that is still reeling from hate spewed through a spray can.

“For a memorial to those who perished at the hands of the Nazis to be desecrated by swastikas in 2009 is reugnant. We hope that the culprits will be caught and brought to justice,” she said.

“Numerous fences and vehicles on Sunvale Crescent S.E., were also vandalized with spray paint,” said a police statement.

Other sayings, including “School Sucks” and “Down with Institutions” were also scrawled on the school’s walls in addition to anti -Jewish slogans.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call District 8 at 403-567-6800, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1 -800-222-8477, or you can submit a tip online at www.calgarycrimestoppers.org.