On June 15, an interfaith vigil was held at Ottawa’s National Holocaust Monument in response to an act of vandalism that defaced the memorial with red graffiti, reading “Feed Me.”
More than 200 people gathered at the site for prayers, reflection, and expressions of solidarity with the Jewish community. Among the speakers were religious leaders, survivors, and civic representatives, all united in a call for peace and mutual respect.
Auxiliary Bishop Yvan Mathieu of the Archdiocese of Ottawa–Cornwall offered a message of compassion and unity: “We must stand with our brothers and sisters who are suffering. In Canada, there must be no place for hatred. Acts like this only deepen wounds — they do not bring healing or peace.”
The vigil also featured prayers from Elder Verna McGregor of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and reflections from Holocaust survivor Agnes Klein, who reminded attendees that such hateful acts evoke painful memories but also affirm the need for resilience and remembrance.
This gathering served as a powerful reminder that discrimination and violence against one group threaten the dignity of all. As people of faith, we are called to denounce hatred in all its forms and to be instruments of peace in our communities.
CBC: Holocaust monument vigil calls for end to hate crimes | CBC News
People gather at the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa on Sunday, June 15, 2025. The concrete memorial was defaced with red paint roughly a week ago. (Benjamin Andrews/CBC)
