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Ottawa hate crime attacks investigated Arrest made in Ottawa hate crime attacks
(2 days later)
Police in the Canadian capital Ottawa are investigating a series of hate crimes in which three Jewish centres, a mosque and a church were daubed with swastikas and racist graffiti. Ottawa police have arrested a teenager in relation to hate graffiti in Canada's capital last week.
Police believe the attacks are linked. They hope to identify the perpetrators from video footage. The young man is facing several charges, including uttering threats of a dangerous weapon and mischief to religious buildings.
A solidarity event took place at an Ottawa synagogue on Saturday. Religious sites in Ottawa have been targeted by a recent spate of hate graffiti crimes.
Statistics show attacks against Canadian Muslims more than doubled between 2012 and 2014. Three Jewish centres, a mosque and a church were daubed with swastikas and other racist graffiti.
No group has so far said it was behind the attacks. As well as the mosque and synagogues, the church targeted has a majority black congregation.
As well as the mosque and the Jewish centres, the church targeted has a majority black congregation. Police could not immediately confirm on Monday if the teenager was linked to one, some, or all of the incidents reported across the city.
The teenager was arrested on Saturday, the same day a solidarity event took place at an Ottawa synagogue.
'Not representative''Not representative'
The solidarity event at the Machzikei Hadas Synagogue, one of the sites defaced, was expected to be attended by an imam and city officials. The multi-faith solidarity event at the Machzikei Hadas Synagogue, one of the sites defaced, was attended by some 600 people, including Ontario's premier and city officials.
"Whether a crime by a single person or not, we are all disturbed by these incidents," local councillor Jeff Leiper said in a statement ahead of the gathering. Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau announced the arrest at the event and said several investigators are assigned to look into the incidents. That investigation is ongoing.
Ahead of the gathering, local councillor Jeff Leiper said in a statement that "whether a crime by a single person or not, we are all disturbed by these incidents.
"They are not representative of the hearts of Ottawa residents, our values, our tolerance, our generosity.""They are not representative of the hearts of Ottawa residents, our values, our tolerance, our generosity."
Mr Leiper said a march would be held on Sunday "to give expression to our desire that Ottawa residents work every day to fight hate". Meanwhile, MP Anita Vandenbeld wrote in a Facebook post: "I will never be silent in the face of hatred and intolerance, nor will our government.
Meanwhile, MP Anita Vandenbeld wrote in a Facebook post: " I will never be silent in the face of hatred and intolerance, nor will our government.
"Diversity is our greatest strength, it enriches our lives, it strengthens our society, and it unites us as a country. It is our most cherished value.""Diversity is our greatest strength, it enriches our lives, it strengthens our society, and it unites us as a country. It is our most cherished value."
Since Donald Trump was elected US president on 8 November, a number of hate crimes have been reported across the United States. Since Donald Trump was elected US president on 8 November, a number of hate crimes have been reported across the US.
But incidents have also been reported at the same time in Canada, including a racist rant caught on camera, white supremacist posters and anti-Semitic graffiti.But incidents have also been reported at the same time in Canada, including a racist rant caught on camera, white supremacist posters and anti-Semitic graffiti.
Statistics show attacks against Canadian Muslims more than doubled between 2012-14.