Both Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy and regional councillor Chris Leahy have condemned the discovery of several swastikas carved into the bathroom of the Whitby Central Library.
Leahy says he’ll be moving a motion to council to have hate motivated vandalism automatically reported to human rights groups like B’nai Brith.
“The library is not the place you expect to see that type of hateful message,” said Leahy in a statement.
“When I heard about this incident I called library staff but I also called B’nai Brith to report it. It was then I concluded that to report this to organizations like B’nai Brith should be institutional policy to help us fight hate.”
It is believed that the vandalism took place on Jan. 10 and has since been removed.
Roy said the incident was reported to Durham Regional Police who responded to the scene.
“I am deeply troubled and saddened to learn that an act of antisemitic vandalism occurred at the Whitby Central Library last week, where several swastikas were carved into the wall of one of the washrooms,” said Roy in a statement.
“This incident is all the more distressing following the abhorrent act of hate that occurred in August 2024, when a large swastika was burned into the grass at a Whitby park.”
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Roy said after the park incident she immediately convened Jewish community members and the police to “discuss next steps. Together, we committed to ongoing dialogue and action to combat antisemitism and ensure that every resident feels safe and supported in Whitby.”
Leahy says he’ll be bringing forward a motion at the Whitby town council meeting and at the Region of Durham council meeting.
“We need to send a clear message to those who hate other people, you are not welcome in Whitby, you are not welcome in Durham,” he said in his statement.
“It’s outrageous to me that we have a public menorah lighting the outside of the library but some scumbag carving swastikas on the inside. I know some politicians want to bury their head in the sand, I would rather bury the hate.”
Added Roy in her statement: “This incident is a direct attack on our Jewish community and the values of inclusion, respect, and safety that define our town. To our Jewish community: please know that you are not alone. Whitby stands with you, and together, we will continue working to ensure that hate has no home in our town.”