Latest news with #NationalHolocaustMonument
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Yahoo
City of Ottawa fires lawyer accused of vandalizing Holocaust monument
The City of Ottawa has fired one of its lawyers after he was charged earlier this month with vandalizing the National Holocaust Monument, sources have confirmed to Radio-Canada. On Friday afternoon, Ottawa police announced a 46-year-old man had been charged with mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. In a post Saturday on social media, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he was "very disturbed" to learn the man arrested was an on-leave city employee. Neither police nor Sutcliffe named the man, but on Sunday Radio-Canada confirmed that he is Iain Aspenlieder, a lawyer who'd worked for the city. In a statement to Radio-Canada, interim city solicitor Stuart Huxley wrote that the man charged "was on leave at the time of the incident and is no longer employed by the city." "The recent act affecting the National Holocaust Monument was deplorable and is counter to the values we seek to uphold in our community," Huxley wrote. "We extend our deepest sympathies to members of our community impacted by this disgraceful act." Huxley's statement also did not identify the employee. The mayor's office did not identify him either but did tell Radio-Canada that he had been fired. Vandalism was a 'vile thing' The National Holocaust Monument was found defaced with red paint on the morning of June 9. The words "feed me" were painted in capital letters, alongside large paint splashes. The slogan appeared to be a reference to Gaza, which the United Nations had described as the "hungriest place on Earth" the preceding Friday. The news that the accused vandal was on the city payroll is alarming, said Richard Marceau, vice-president of external affairs and general counsel for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. Marceau told Radio-Canada that he was informed of the employee's identity during a weekend phone call with Sutcliffe. "To learn that it was an employee of the City of Ottawa who was charged with vandalizing the National Holocaust Monument was shocking," he told Radio-Canada. "No one, and especially if you're working for the public, should be doing this type of vile thing." None of the charges against Aspenlieder have been proven in court. WATCH | Gaza population at 'critical risk' of famine, according to the UN Suspended by law society The Ontario Sunshine List describes Aspenlieder's position with the city as "legal counsel." He has appeared on the list, which documents public sector employees with salaries of over $100,000, every year since 2016. According to the Law Society of Ontario website, a man named Iain David Aspenlieder has been "suspended administratively" and is not permitted to practice law. The law society's website does not say when he was suspended. Gilles LeVasseur, a business and law professor at the University of Ottawa, said the city can't control the actions of its employees outside of the workplace, but people expect the institution to take appropriate action. "The city has to showcase that they did their due diligence. They actually did proceed properly as soon as they found out the issues and then they acted upon it," he said. Numerous local and national officials have decried the vandalism as an act of antisemitism. Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi said it was "disgraceful," while Iddo Moed, Israel's ambassador to Canada, called it "pure hate against Jews." Coun. Ariel Troster, who is Jewish, wrote in a social media post that she was "devastated." Lawrence Greenspon, a prominent Ottawa defence lawyer and co-chair of the National Holocaust Monument Committee, told CBC after the vandalism occurred that Hamas, not Israel, was at fault for the crisis in Gaza. A solemn vigil was held at the monument one week after the vandalism. Many in Ottawa's Jewish community attended, as well as Christian groups and a Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg elder.
CBC
29-06-2025
- CBC
City of Ottawa fires lawyer accused of vandalizing Holocaust monument
The City of Ottawa has fired one of its lawyers after he was charged earlier this month with vandalizing the National Holocaust Monument, sources have confirmed to Radio-Canada. On Friday afternoon, Ottawa police announced a 46-year-old man had been charged with mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. In a post Saturday on social media, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said he was "very disturbed" to learn the man arrested was an on-leave city employee. Neither police nor Sutcliffe named the man, but on Sunday Radio-Canada confirmed that he is Iain Aspenlieder, a lawyer who'd worked for the city. In a statement to Radio-Canada, interim city solicitor Stuart Huxley wrote that the man charged "was on leave at the time of the incident and is no longer employed by the city." "The recent act affecting the National Holocaust Monument was deplorable and is counter to the values we seek to uphold in our community," Huxley wrote. "We extend our deepest sympathies to members of our community impacted by this disgraceful act." Huxley's statement also did not identify the employee. The mayor's office did not identify him either but did tell Radio-Canada that he had been fired. Vandalism was a 'vile thing' The National Holocaust Monument was found defaced with red paint on the morning of June 9. The words "feed me" were painted in capital letters, alongside large paint splashes. The slogan appeared to be a reference to Gaza, which the United Nations had described as the " hungriest place on Earth " the preceding Friday. The news that the accused vandal was on the city payroll is alarming, said Richard Marceau, vice-president of external affairs and general counsel for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. Marceau told Radio-Canada that he was informed of the employee's identity during a weekend phone call with Sutcliffe. "To learn that it was an employee of the City of Ottawa who was charged with vandalizing the National Holocaust Monument was shocking," he told Radio-Canada. "No one, and especially if you're working for the public, should be doing this type of vile thing." None of the charges against Aspenlieder have been proven in court. WATCH | Gaza population at 'critical risk' of famine, according to the UN Gaza population at 'critical risk' of famine, UN-backed report warns Duration 3:38 Half a million people in the Gaza Strip face starvation, a global hunger monitor says, with a high risk of a famine occurring by the end of September. Suspended by law society The Ontario Sunshine List describes Aspenlieder's position with the city as "legal counsel." He has appeared on the list, which documents public sector employees with salaries of over $100,000, every year since 2016. According to the Law Society of Ontario website, a man named Iain David Aspenlieder has been "suspended administratively" and is not permitted to practice law. The law society's website does not say when he was suspended. Gilles LeVasseur, a business and law professor at the University of Ottawa, said the city can't control the actions of its employees outside of the workplace, but people expect the institution to take appropriate action. "The city has to showcase that they did their due diligence. They actually did proceed properly as soon as they found out the issues and then they acted upon it," he said. People gather at the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa on June 15 for a vigil held one week after the memorial was vandalized. (Benjamin Andrews/CBC) Numerous local and national officials have decried the vandalism as an act of antisemitism. Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi said it was "disgraceful," while Iddo Moed, Israel's ambassador to Canada, called it "pure hate against Jews." Coun. Ariel Troster, who is Jewish, wrote in a social media post that she was "devastated." Lawrence Greenspon, a prominent Ottawa defence lawyer and co-chair of the National Holocaust Monument Committee, told CBC after the vandalism occurred that Hamas, not Israel, was at fault for the crisis in Gaza. A solemn vigil was held at the monument one week after the vandalism. Many in Ottawa's Jewish community attended, as well as Christian groups and a Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg elder.
Edmonton Journal
28-06-2025
- Edmonton Journal
Man, 46, charged with vandalism of National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa
On June 9, the words "FEED ME" were found scrawled in red paint across the face of the monument, with red paint also splashed on other portions of the structure Published Jun 27, 2025 • 1 minute read Police investigate vandalism to the National Holocaust Monument in downtown Ottawa, on June, 9, 2025. Photo by Jean Levac/Postmedia OTTAWA — A 46-year-old man has been charged after Canada's National Holocaust Monument was vandalized earlier this month. The Ottawa Police Service said in a news release Friday that the man was charged with mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. The man is scheduled to appear in court Saturday. On June 9, the words 'FEED ME' were found scrawled in red paint across the face of the monument, with red paint also splashed on other portions of the structure. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was 'appalled' by the vandalism and that the monument is a space for mourning and remembrance. The Ottawa Police Service says the investigation by its hate and bias crime unit continues. Richard Marceau, vice-president of external affairs and general counsel at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said the monument is an important national symbol, especially at this time of 'heightened antisemitism.' 'It was especially vile to see it vandalized and defaced,' Marceau said, adding that he's grateful police reacted quickly. 'That is why it's so important and it's critical for authorities and law enforcement to stamp down on this hatred and incitement, hard and fast.' — With additional reporting from David Baxter Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Cult of Hockey Local News Edmonton Oilers Local News Edmonton Oilers
CTV News
15-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
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.
Ottawa Citizen
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Spiegel: Increase in antisemitism shows Holocaust education is failing us
This week, the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa was defaced — a stark and shameful reminder that even memory itself is under attack. The monument stands not only to commemorate the past, but to warn the present. Its desecration is not an isolated act of ignorance; it's a symptom of something deeper, more dangerous — and growing. Article content We are shocked, but also disoriented. For the past three generations, many Jews in Canada have experienced a remarkable period of welcome. We were invited in, embraced. We took leadership roles, shaped cultural life, became, in a sense, part of the mainstream. Article content Article content Article content Now we've been jolted awake by a painful truth: the welcome was conditional. Article content We've had an 80-year holiday from history — a brief pause in the centuries-long cycle of exclusion, scapegoating and violence. That holiday is over. Article content And while this awakening is most deeply felt in Jewish communities, it cannot remain our burden alone. Antisemitism is a threat to democratic life, not just Jewish life. The integrity of our classrooms and the health of our civic discourse depend on others speaking up. Holocaust education was never meant to be a siloed, Jewish project. It is a call to conscience, and that call must be answered by everyone. Article content What's even more jarring is that Holocaust education appears to be faltering. Article content Blurring the lines Article content A critical mistake was made. In the effort to ensure 'never again,' the Holocaust was universalized to such an extent that its specificity was stripped away. Its horrors were collapsed into broad 'lessons' about tolerance and human rights, applied to issues ranging from bullying to environmental injustice. In the process, the ideological clarity that defined the Holocaust as a distinct and targeted genocide was blurred. Article content Article content Holocaust education must be rethought, rebalanced and deepened. Article content Article content For many Canadian students, their first, and only, exposure to Jewish identity comes through Holocaust education. While that education is vital, and central to our work at the Azrieli Foundation's Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program, it cannot be the only lens through which we see Jewish people. We must teach Jewish life, not just Jewish death. Article content Jewish peoplehood spans thousands of years, across every continent, rich with joy, resilience, tradition and creativity. When students understand the full picture, they're better equipped to recognize and confront antisemitism. They're also more likely to build authentic relationships with Jewish peers and see Jewish experience as part of the broader Canadian story.
