Toronto (May 26, 2020) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) denounces the increase in hate crimes targeting Canada’s Asian community and stands in solidarity with its community members.

According to a statement released by the Vancouver Police Department late last week, there has been a significant increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in Vancouver where more than 40 per cent of the population is Asian, half of which is Chinese descent. To date in 2020, there are 29 anti-Asian crimes under investigation in Vancouver, up from four during the same period in 2019.

“The Jewish community knows all too well what it is like to be targeted by hateful words and behaviour, and we stand in solidarity with our Asian communities with the message that hate is unacceptable and should not be tolerated in our country,” said Jaime Kirzner-Roberts, FSWC's Director of the Campaign Against Antisemitism.

FSWC commends the VPD for their swift action to combat and prevent further hate crimes in the community.