TORONTO (September 14, 2017) - Friendsof Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) has launched a call to American Express Canada(AMEX), as a primary “Friend and Partner” of the upcoming Canadian leg of the“Us+Them” Tour, to encourage Roger Waters to respect human rights whileperforming here. Waters has usedantisemitic and vulgar imagery in his performances. He continues to be a leading advocate of theBoycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement recognized by the Federal andOntario governments as promoting “hatred, hostility, prejudice, racism andintolerance.”

"At this juncture of division andintolerance, it is key that we use all avenues to bring communitiestogether. Music has that power,"said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo. “Unfortunately, Roger Waters continues to use this platform to preachdivisive, hurtful messages. The Jewishpeople are suffering from unprecedented levels of discrimination and racism,manifested most recently in graffiti on Ontario highways declaring that 'Hitlerwas right.' This is certainly not thetime to foment antisemitism by promoting BDS campaigns against the Jewishpeople or to employ hateful imagery on stage."

FSWC has reached out to American Express Canada(AMEX) as a primary “Friend and Partner” of the Tour asking the corporation toencourage Waters to promote human rights. “We are hoping that all corporate sponsors will adhere to CorporateSocial Responsibility (CSR) norms and use their voice to educate Waters and hisproducers about what acceptable forms of discourse look like in Canada wherestrict laws against hate speech apply. We are asking all Canadians to join in our call to the sponsors andunite in asking Roger Waters to respect human rights while in this country,”explained Benlolo.

FSWC works tirelessly tocounter hate and intolerance in communities across the country. Please take amoment to sign our Call to Action which can be found HERE.

CLICK HERE to read FSWC’s letter to American Express.

‍

To arrange aninterview with Avi Benlolo, please contact:

Atara Cadesky 
Communications Associate 
416.864.9735 x 30 
acadesky@fswc.ca

Avital Borisovsky
Communications Associate    
416.864.9735 x 30
aborisovsky@fswc.ca

Follow us on Twitterat @CanadianFSWCfor latest news and organization updates.

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for HolocaustStudies (FSWC) is a top Jewish human rights foundation in Canada's organizedJewish community. It directly impacts over 100,000 people each year and500,000+ peripherally. FSWC is committed to countering racism andantisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice andCanadian democratic values through advocacy and educational programsincluding workshops, Freedom Day, Spirit of Hope Benefit, Tools for Toleranceand the widely acclaimed Tour for Humanity. FSWC is affiliated with theSimon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organizationheadquartered in Los Angeles which has won two Academy Awards, has built twoMuseums of Tolerance (with a third being built in Jerusalem) and is an NGO atthe United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the LatinAmerican Parliament. Visit us at www.fswc.ca.