Media Statement
TORONTO (August 31, 2017) – Friends of
Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) commends the Toronto
District School Board (TDSB) for passing a motion at its board meeting last night to stand up
against hate.
The motion,
initiated by Trustee Ken Lister, calls on the TDSB Director to “review the
policies and procedures for issuing permits to ensure schools do not become
forums for spreading anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and any form of hatred.”
This motion comes on the heels of recent incidents of hatred in public spaces,
mentioning that hate groups booked rooms at Toronto public libraries, and the
plan to hold a rally at the University of Toronto to spread hatred.
“The anti-hate
motion passed by the TDSB is a welcome initiative considering the rise in
antisemitic incidents we have seen over the summer,” said Avi Benlolo, President
and CEO of FSWC. “We urge public bodies including school boards,
municipal governments, and other community groups to follow this example in
reviewing policies to ensure that there is zero tolerance for antisemitism and
racism in public institutions.”
FSWC works tirelessly to counter hate and intolerance in communities across the country. Please take a moment to sign our petition to "Stand Up To Hate" calling on Ontario’s Attorney General to take action in prosecuting hate crimes. The petition can be found at www.friendsofsimonwiesenthalcenter.com/petition on the FSWC website.