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.”
Toronto man caught on video going on horrific #antisemitic tirade has been identified as Kurt Edwards.
Police have issued a warrant out for his arrest; Edwards is believed to be responsible for half a dozen antisemitic incidents in the area.
More here: https://t.co/gHpk8fmV2W pic.twitter.com/lasJtimkJG
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) September 29, 2020
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.”
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. @YRP #HateCrime #Antisemitism https://t.co/qpsTC6QmyZ
— B'nai Brith Canada (@bnaibrithcanada) September 29, 2020
