Antisemitic graffiti on Winnipeg community centre act of 'pure hatred': Jewish Federation

WARNING: This story contains references to and images of antisemitic graffiti.

Antisemitic graffiti was spray-painted on the outside of a west Winnipeg community centre during the last days of Hanukkah, in what the president of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg describes as an act of "pure hatred."

Brent McNeil, president of the Westdale Community Centre, said at least five swastikas, along with the initials "MKY," were painted on the back of the building, which is just south of Roblin Boulevard and east of the Perimeter Highway, in the Charleswood area of the city.

Two doors, two walls and fencing around an ice rink at the back of the building were tagged earlier this week, he said.

"It is disappointing at the very least.… The community centre in of itself is supposed to be a safe space for everybody in the community, regardless of who they are," McNeil told CBC Thursday.

He first spotted the graffiti himself earlier Thursday, but social media posts made reference to the graffiti as early as Tuesday.

McNeil said some utility boxes and the back of retail stores in a shopping plaza near were also spray-painted.

CBC found graffiti painted on the parking garage door of a condo building across from the community centre on Thursday. 

McNeil said this isn't the first time a building in the area has been defaced with antisemitic graffiti.  

"It's been quite frequent," he said. 

The front door of the community centre was also tagged with a swastika last month, he said. A police report was filed after that incident, and city crews removed the graffiti within a day.

The centre has contacted the Winnipeg police again, and the city has been contacted for cleanup.

CBC News has contacted Winnipeg police but hadn't received a reply prior to publication.

The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg condemns the graffiti, which comes on the last days of Hanukkah, which began on Dec. 25 and ends Thursday.