‘Absurd, racist and offensive': Markham park signs vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti

York Regional Police hate crime officer investigating

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 20, 2022
Heidi Riedner

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti took to social media to denounce an act of racist vandalism in Unionville’s Bruce’s Creek park.

Referring to the acts as "absurd, racist and offensive", a resident posted a photo on Twitter Jan. 17 of signs vandalized with swastikas in the well-used park, where families and kids enjoy the trails on a daily basis.

Scarpitti condemned the acts, saying he stands firm against anti-Semitism.

"We stand against racism in any form in our community," he added.

The vandalism occurred on the heels of a hostage taking at a Texas synagogue during Sabbath services last weekend.

The day-long siege at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, ended the night of Jan. 15 after U.S. federal agents stormed the temple. The hostage taker, whom it later emerged was a British national, was shot and killed.

A York Regional Police hate crime officer is investigating the anti-Semitic graffiti scrawled in the Markham park. The graffiti has been removed.

Markham-Thornhill MP and International Trade Minister Mary Ng also condemned the graffiti on Twitter.