Toronto (November 28, 2018) - Earlier today, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) attended the opening session of the hate crime trial for the editor and publisher of Your Ward News. The two individuals were recently charged with willful promotion of hatred against Jewish people and women.
"Our community has been victimized and re-victimized over the last number of years by this hateful newspaper that has been circulated throughout the Greater Toronto Area and online. We commend the Crown for pursuing hate crime charges against these individuals. We further applaud the Government of Canada for ordering Canada Post to not deliver the newspaper by mail because of its hateful content," said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC.
After the two men pleaded not guilty, the Crown brought in its first expert witness to the stand – an expert in Jewish history and antisemitism who discussed numerous examples of antisemitism that have appeared in past Your Ward News issues. Examples included Holocaust denial and conspiracy theories claiming Jews control financial institutions and are responsible for both capitalism and communism.
FSWC recognizes its members of Lawyers4Wiesenthal who have been following the case and continue to work with the organization to take action against hate crimes.
Media Contact:
Avital Borisovsky
Communications Associate
416.864.9735 x 29
aborisovsky@fswc.ca