A spokesman for the Canadian Jewish Congress today expressed grave concern over a number of anti-Semitic incidents that have taken place during the last few days, including the smearing of swastikas, an attack on a Jewish youth, and the continued anti-Jewish incidents in the Winnipeg Beach resort area.
One of the targets of the smearing was the Hebrew Congregation building. The daubers painted a crude swastika on the structure and the words “Down With Jews.” In addition to the daubing of the synagogue, swastikas were painted on several buildings along the lakefront.
The Jewish Post of Winnipeg reported that, earlier in the week, two local beach youths were convicted of causing a disturbance by fighting on a Winnipeg street, and fined $50 and costs. The two, Philip Warcinaga, 19, and Kenneth Schultz, 18, were arrested on complaint of Morris Davis that his 14-year-old son Harvey had been “beaten up” by the youths. Witnesses said the boy was grabbed by the neck and choked, while some of the attacking youths shouted anti-Semitic epithets.
Corporal G. S. Lawrence, in charge of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment at Winnipeg Beach, said that he did not know if there was any connection between the disturbances involving the youths and the defacing, and that the matter was under investigation.
Summer residents asked for more protection, pointing out that the two RMCP officers were kept busy with traffic regulation and coping with disruptive young people who come to the beach each evening. The Jewish Post reported that many Jewish families living at the resort were afraid to go out into the street.
Heinz Frank, executive director of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said the situation was “very tense,” He also said that the organization was in contact with the appropriate authorities “who give the matter their attention,” He also urged Jewish residents not to “aggravate an already tense situation by individual action” as was reportedly contemplated by some Jewish youths in the area.
The beach incidents appeared to have been triggered by a Dominion Day disturbance earlier this month, in which a mystery car was driven along the lakefront. In it were three youths who shouted over a loudspeaker in the car “Jews, get out of the Beach, Go Home. You’ll be killed,” The broadcaster called himself Adolf Eichmann. No arrests have been made in that incident.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
