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Canadian Police Issue Arrest Warrant for Man Who Shouted Anti-Semitic Slurs at Jewish Father, Son

The man is allegedly connected to six anti-Semitic incidents in the area.
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September 30, 2020
BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 01: A demonstrator wears handcuffs following his arrest after he took part in a protest against government lockdown measures on May Day during the novel coronavirus crisis on May 1, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. May Day protests are taking place across Germany today, though as gatherings are limited by authorities to a maximum of 20 people per gathering due to coronavirus lockdown measures, many small protests are taking place instead of traditional, large-scale marches. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Police in the York region of Ontario, Canada, issued an arrest warrant on Sept. 28 for a man who allegedly shouted anti-Semitic slurs at a Jewish father and his son earlier in the month.

The Toronto Sun reported that the York Regional Police identified the man as Kurt Edwards, 43, and alleged that Edwards is connected to six anti-Semitic incidents in the Ontario city of Vaughan that began on Sept. 18. These incidents included “graffiti written on garage doors and vehicles,” according to the Sun.

Additionally, video footage shows a man — alleged to be Edwards — shouting at a Jewish father and son, “You’re a piece of s— you’re Jewish” and “you run the f—ing world.”

 

The York Regional Police said in a statement that it “does not tolerate hate crime in any form. Those who victimize individuals based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or mental or physical disability will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Jewish groups praised the York Regional Police for its response.

“There is no room for such despicable acts of antisemitism anywhere in this country, and it’s so important for members of any community to denounce and take action against this and all forms of hate,” Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center President and CEO Michael Levitt said in a statement. “We commend York Regional Police for taking these hate incidents seriously and quickly identifying a suspect, and we are hopeful that charges will be laid soon.”

B’nai Brith Canada similarly tweeted, “York Regional Police are searching for the man connected to the antisemitic hate crimes committed before Rosh Hashanah in the City of #Vaughan. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police immediately.”

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