Toronto (August 31, 2020) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) has reached out to Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) offering an educational program for the two young people who were caught drawing hateful slurs and symbols on two driveways in Kitchener.

Police said the two youths behind the graffiti - which included swastikas and the n-word - have been identified and an investigation remains ongoing by the hate crime unit.

"We are very disturbed to once again see youth choosing to spread hate in their communities,"  said Jaime Kirzner-Roberts, Director of FSWC's Campaign Against Antisemitism. "Thankfully, the two young people behind this hateful graffiti have been identified and restorative justice can now take place to educate the offenders and ensure they understand the dangers of and pain caused by their actions."

Through FSWC's individualized program, the youths would be given an opportunity to learn the historical context of the symbols and slurs they drew, share their findings and meet individuals from the targeted communities for an open discussion.

FSWC urges WRPS to consider FSWC's program as part of its restorative justice process.