TORONTO (Wednesday, September 28, 2017) - F​riends of ​S​imon ​W​iesenthal ​​​​Center​ ​(FSWC)was ​dismayed  to learn of yet another school in York Region​​defaced with hate graffiti. The graffiti with antisemitic and anti-Blackmessaging - including racial slurs as well as swastikas and other Nazi symbols -was discovered on outdoor structures at the Hartman Public School inAurora just as children were arriving to start their day. 

FSWC hasbeen in contact with York Regional Police - who confirmed that the incident isbeing investigated as a hate crime - and has also offered its educationalprogramming following the incident to the Trustee of the York Regional SchoolBoard and the school’s principal.  ​

The incident follows on a string of ​hate ​vandalismat schools, parks and public locations in the area since the summer.

"These ongoing incidents are disturbing to eachof us committed to building ​inclusive ​communities where our children put thelessons of respect for human dignity into practice,” said Avi Benlolo,President and CEO of FSWC. “We are gratified that the York Regional Police arediligently investigating this latest incident of hate.”

Witnesses are urged​ to step forward with anyinformation they may have, including dashcam video, by calling #1 DistrictCriminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7141.​

FSWC continues to track antisemitic incidents byprovince and territory on www.fswc.ca,under the “antisemitism” tab. ​ Through its advocacy initiatives andeducational programs - such as Tour for Humanity, Freedom Day and the NationalPolicy Conference on Holocaust Education - FSWC speaks out against all forms ofhate and antisemitism, and is committed to promoting tolerance and acceptancein communities throughout Canada.

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​To set up an interview with Avi Benlolo, 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 Twitter at @CanadianFSWC for latest news and organization updates

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Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is a top Jewish human rights foundation in Canada's organized Jewish community. It directly impacts over 100,000 people each year and 500,000+ peripherally. FSWC is committed to countering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy and educational programs including workshops, Freedom Day, Spirit of Hope Benefit, Tools for Tolerance and the widely acclaimed Tour for Humanity. FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles which has won two Academy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built in Jerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament. Visit us at www.fswc.ca.  

Canadian Headquarters: Toronto       Branches: Los Angeles • New York • Chicago • Paris • Buenos Aires • Israel​