TORONTO (September 1, 2017) – Friendsof Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is pleased that thesentencing of the teen convicted in a racist vandalism spree last year - which affectedthree different religious communities within the Ottawa area - sends a seriousmessage of condemnation while identifying the crucial need for education. 

The teen, who cannot be named since he was under 18 at the time he committedthe crime, was sentenced to one year custody alongwith two years probation on terms that include restrictions on his movementsand educational activities.

“We commend the police and the Crown who diligently pursued thiscase to its end,” said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC. “We are pleasedto see that the sentence included an educational component as well as acustodial term. As part of his probation the young man will have theopportunity to learn about the Holocaust and antisemitism that he showed suchignorance about. Our remarkable educational programming has been offeredto aid in that crucial process of rehabilitation.”

FSWC works tirelessly to counter hate and intolerance incommunities across the country. Please take a moment to sign our petition to"Stand Up To Hate" calling on Ontario’s Attorney General to takeaction in prosecuting hate crimes. The petition can be found at www.friendsofsimonwiesenthalcenter.com/petition onthe FSWC website. 

To arrange an interview with Avi Benlolo, pleasecontact:

AtaraCadesky  
Communications Associate  
416.864.9735 x 30  
acadesky@fswc.ca

AvitalBorisovsky  
Communications Associate    
416.864.9735 x 30  
aborisovsky@fswc.ca

Follow us on Twitter at @CanadianFSWC for latest news andorganization updates.

__________________________________________________________________

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

Canadian Headquarters: Toronto 

Branches: LosAngeles • New York • Chicago • Paris • Buenos Aires • Israel