Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman is calling on all Winnipeggers to denounce acts of hate after anti-semitic graffiti was found at multiple spots around the city.
One written on the pavement on Wellington Crescent reads: “Lost white civilizations”. Another found on a nearby bench reads “Soros wants you dead.”
B’nai Brith said some of the graffiti references Jewish-American philanthropist George Soros, who is a target of anti-semitic conspiracy theorists.
“Having these kind of symbols for children and families to see is distressing,” B’nai Brith spokesperson Ran Ukashi said. “It’s very concerning that people have this way of thinking, because it can lead to more serious issues in the future.”
Some places were covered with symbols like the Star of David, and ‘Jewish supremacy’ written under neath. Other benches made direct references to Nazi symbols.
“It was just riddled with swastikas, white pride,” Ukashi said.
Similar graffiti was also scrawled on the First Unitarian Universalist Church on Wellington. Church goers discovered the message Sunday morning but it’s since been covered up.
Winnipeg police are aware of the incidents and said an officer who works directly on hate crimes is investigating.
On Wednesday Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman condemned the graffiti.
“These intolerant acts of hate are reprehensible and offensive to our community and will not deter our ongoing efforts towards strengthening inclusiveness in our city,” a statement said. ” I am personally sickened to see this in our city and call on Winnipeggers of all backgrounds to join me in denouncing acts of hate, like this.”