‘Hatred will not be tolerated’: Police investigate vandalism of synagogues

CITYnews halifax / By Chris Halef

The Chief of Halifax Regional Police (HRP) says “hatred will not be tolerated” after officers responded to six incidents of racist graffiti throughout the city over the weekend.

On Sunday, police responded to three incidents of racist graffiti written directly on synagogues, while the other three incidents involved graffiti written on sidewalks nearby.

HRP Chief Don MacLean said they have a hate crime investigator reviewing evidence, and when the person or people have been identified, they will face charges.

“I want to be clear that hatred will not be tolerated in Halifax Regional Municipality,” he said. “Our constitutional right to free speech does not mean we live in a society where we can spread hate.”

The chief said that directing hate towards a group of the community is against the law, but it also “does not represent the views of our city.”

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He said these incidents are being investigated as hate crimes, and police will provide updates as they become available.

“For those who feel so strongly that diversity is a problem — let me be clear — it’s not. Our community would be a much stronger place if we celebrated our differences together instead of allowing it to divide us.”

Police released a photo of a suspect in connection with the incidents. (HRP)

The incidents prompted Premier Tim Houston to weigh in, writing in a social media post how problematic the situation is.

“The targeting of synagogues in Halifax with antisemitic graffiti is absolutely disgraceful,” he wrote. “We are better than this as a province. I stand in support of our Jewish friends and neighbours who are shaken by this act of hate. This hatred has no place in Nova Scotia.”

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact HRP or Crime Stoppers.