Jewish and interfaith leaders condemn vandalism at National Holocaust Monument
The words 'FEED ME' are seen painted in red on the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Jewish and interfaith leaders are gathering Sunday afternoon at the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa to condemn a recent act of vandalism and to stand united against hate.
The monument, which honours the six million Jewish people killed in the Holocaust, was defaced last week with red paint and the words 'Feed Me.' The event begins at 3 p.m.
'The desecration of the National Holocaust Monument was not just vandalism — it was an attack on the memory of six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and on the values of decency and humanity we hold as Canadians," said Adam Silver, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, in a press release.
'We must not stay silent. This vigil is about standing together to say clearly: hate has no place here.'
The gathering comes amid a rise in antisemitism across Canada. According to a global task force against antisemitism, a report shows incidents have jumped more than 170 per cent in Canada since 2020.
'This vigil is a potent reminder that unchecked hatred and discrimination do not only affect the targeted community; they threaten the social fabric of our society; they are corrosive to our entire society,' said Annette Wildgoose, president of the National Holocaust Monument committee, in a press release.
'By all of us standing together at the National Holocaust Monument, we reaffirm our commitment to fighting against all forms of intolerance and antisemitism.'
The Ottawa Police Service hate and bias crime unit continues to investigate the incident.
This story will be updated.
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