Toronto – Police have launched a hate crimes investigation after four Jewish boys wearing yarmulkes were verbally and physically attacked.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the attack on the four 17-year-olds who were victimized by a gang of nine. One youth has been arrested.
“We must be on constant guard against this troubling resurgence of antisemitism, here at home or anywhere else,” Trudeau said on Twitter.”We thank Toronto police for their work and send our full support to the young students affected.”
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders described the attack as a hate crime and vowed to leave no stone unturned to bring the attackers to justice.
“The Toronto Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance identifying and locating nine Young Persons wanted in a Robbery-Hate Crime Investigation,” police said.
“On Sunday, November 11, 2018, at 8 p.m., officers responded to an Assault in the Fairholme Avenue and Bathurst Street area.”
Cops said:
Four, 17-year-old boys were walking in the area, all of whom were wearing attire of their religious faith.
As they passed another group of young persons, who were unknown to them, derogatory comments were made about their religion.
“The unknown group then assaulted two of the 17-year-old boys, punching and kicking them.”
A pair of sunglasses was stolen from one of the victims before the suspects fled.
“Police were called and attending officers located and arrested one of the suspects involved in the assault
“The victims of the assault received treatment for their injuries at the scene.
“The outstanding suspects are described as in their early teens.”
Marco Mendicino, MP for Eglington-Lawrence said he spoke with the local Rabbi and police.
“Spoke with Rabbi Wagner of Yeshivas Lubavitch to offer steadfast support for the young Jewish students who were victimized by this crime. Let’s be clear: we must continue to denounce Antisemitism everywhere and work harder to ensure that ours is a so,” he said.
The Jewish school attracts students from all over the world. One of those attacked was from the US.
Here’s our Chief @marksaunderstps on the ongoing investigation into an assault and robbery involving a group of young Jewish teens ^mg pic.twitter.com/stmi3kkS72
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) November 13, 2018
