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WATCH: Mobile Classroom Teaches Students About the Holocaust
FSWC's Tour for Humanity was in Guelph today, educating students about the Holocaust and what can happen when hatred is allowed to foster. CTV News interviewed educator Daniella Lurion about the bus and the important role it plays in countering hate and antisemitism in communities across Ontario.
Students Pledge to Fight Antisemitism and Racism
On Monday, FSWC hosted a combination of Roots of Hate and Intolerance and Leadership 101 workshops for a great group of Grade 9 and 10 students from Markham in the Tom & Anna Koffler Tolerance Training Centre. Their school recently dealt with antisemitic graffiti found on school property. The students - who were quick to debate current hate crime statistics - pledged to fight antisemitism and racism at their school.
Yesterday, the Tour for Humanity was on the road, spending a great day of workshops with police, civilians and two youth groups at the Halton Regional Police Headquarters in Oakville. Constable Elms organized the visit for Halton Police's PEACE program - a youth program for teens aged 15-17 to learn about peacekeeping, ethnicities and cultures. Students were also welcomed at the Center yesterday for a fusion of two workshops. The students were interested in all of the material relating to the Holocaust as well as the history of antisemitism leading into the Holocaust with the emergence of scientific racism.
FSWC needs your continued support! Your donation helps ensure that we continue offering Holocaust and human rights education to Canadian youth - helping make the world a better place one school at a time.
Click here to make a donation.
City of Toronto Will Not Grant Permit for White Nationalist Rally
After reaching out to Toronto Mayor John Tory, Councillor Mary Margaret McMahon for the Beaches-East York and the Chief of Toronto Police Service, FSWC was pleased to learn that the City of Toronto will not grant a permit for a white nationalist rally that is set to take place on November 4. The Mayor informed FSWC that the City will not allow this kind of event on its property according to its permit policy and has alerted the Toronto Police Service as well as the Parks permit department to that effect.
Public Urged to Assist in Ongoing Hate Complaint Investigation
After receiving reports that the hateful and antisemitic publication "Your Ward News" was delivered to addresses in the North York area, FSWC is calling on the public to inform local police if copies of the publication were recently delivered to their homes or businesses. This information will assist in the ongoing investigation into a hate complaint made by FSWC.
FSWC Commends TDSB for Its Commitment to Community Engagement
FSWC commends the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for being responsive to community concerns regarding the Islamic History Month Guidebook. Following in-depth conversations with FSWC regarding troubling content as well as links to resources, TDSB has announced that it will be revising the Guidebook further to remove a link to antisemitic material.
Quebec's Religious Neutrality Bill Sails Into Law
Following a vote of 66-51, Bill 62 became law today in Quebec. This law bans all public workers and individuals receiving government services from wearing any type of face covering - including when riding the bus and writing an exam in university, for example. Quebec Justice Minister Stéphanie Vallée stated that the bill is respectful of civil rights and creates "social cohesion."
German Court Convicts 88-Year-Old Holocaust Denier Again
An 88-year-old woman known as a Holocaust denier and neo-Nazi has once again been convicted of Holocaust denial. Ursula Haverbeck - who has been convicted and sentenced several times before but has successfully appealed all decisions - was sentenced in Berlin on Monday to six months in prison after denying the Holocaust at an event in Berlin in January 2016.
Israel Elected to UN Space Committee, Overcoming Opposition
Despite opposition from Palestinian diplomats and several Arab states, the UN General Assembly has elected an Israeli representative to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) bureau. This decision makes Israel one of six countries to head up the 84-member organization.
Newly Elected Austrian Leader Vows Zero Tolerance for Antisemitism
Austria's newly elected leader, Sebastian Kurz, recently spoke about his zero tolerance policy on antisemitism, stating, "I have always been very clear that we...shall never forget the Holocaust and the atrocities committed during World War II...Austria has to face up to its own history, and that includes the dark sides of it." This statement comes after news that a coalition with the far-right may be formed, sparking worry that people with antisemitic beliefs may be given power to influence the government.
From the Arab World
Today's news reports revealed that majormilitary operations in Raqqa, Syria have ended and that ISIS has beendefeated in their self-declared capital. US-backed forces fighting ISIS in thecity announced that the situation in Raqqa is under control. In response, theUN said their main priority is gaining access to thecity and aid groups are ready to increase assistance to those inurgent need.
A new investigative report released on Monday shows that the terrorist groupHezbollah has been using a bank in the Democratic Republic of Congo to financeits key terror network. The report documents how Hezbollah financiers usedthe bank to move money around in violation of US sanctions on Hezbollahand other terrorist groups.
Call for Papers on the Future of Holocaust Education
In recognition of the 2018 International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27th, FSWC is hosting its third annual National Policy Conference on Holocaust Education in Toronto. FSWC welcomes papers focusing on the future of Holocaust education. Manuscripts in English will be considered for a special publication to be released at the conference and published digitally at www.fswc.ca. In addition, one manuscript will be selected for presentation at the conference.
The deadline is October 31, 2017.
Click here for submission guidelines
FSWC Wants to Hear from You
Passionate about an issue in the news or your community? Does it align with FSWC's mandate? Then we want to hear from you! FSWC is inviting you to submit reflections on issues that matter to you and the community. While we won't be publishing anything just yet, we will be taking all submissions into consideration for future projects.
Submit reflections to aborisovsky@fswc.ca.
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