Antisemitic megaphone rant near Toronto Jewish neighbourhood triggers hate crime probe

Toronto Police's Hate Crime Unit is investigating antisemitic statements made through a megaphone near Bathurst St. and Sheppard Ave. West on Sunday.

Toronto man filmed making antisemitic conspiracy claims at predominantly Jewish intersection

Toronto Police's Hate Crime Unit is investigating after a man with a megaphone was recorded making antisemitic statements near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West on Sunday, in a predominantly Jewish neighbourhood in the north of the city, National Post Crime reports.

Videos shared on social media show the man — wearing a keffiyeh around his neck — speaking through a megaphone and, apparently reading from his cellphone, delivering a series of conspiracy claims targeting Jewish people.

In one 74-second clip, the man describes Israel as "a cancerous, false Zionist state" planted by British colonizers. He goes on to claim that Jewish people "are the most kicked-out people in the world, for making black magic and horrible things," and alleges that figures connected to Jeffrey Epstein "raped and killed and ate children." He concludes by referencing Gaza, the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader and the "kidnapping" of Venezuela's president, attributing these events to what he calls "terrorist Zionists."

In a second clip, the man addresses people he describes as Israelis standing across the street. "Your mischief will cause your annihilation, and it is coming soon," he says, adding that it would come "from the north, from the resistance in Lebanon."

Schools named on social media deny employment

Social media users identified the man as an instructor at three Ontario post-secondary institutions: the University of Niagara Falls, Georgian College in Barrie and Conestoga College in Kitchener. National Post reached out to all three.

A spokesperson for Conestoga College said the individual was not an employee. Georgian College confirmed that "the individual identified in the video is not an employee and is not teaching" at the Barrie campus.

The University of Niagara Falls issued a statement on Tuesday acknowledging the video. "We are aware of a video that has surfaced and that allegedly involves a sessional faculty member," the university said. "These are not our views and UNF has zero tolerance for discrimination, hate, harassment, or any conduct that threatens the dignity and well-being of others." The university added it had launched an internal investigation but could not comment further.

Jewish organisations call for charges

A joint statement issued Monday by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, B'nai Brith Canada and the Canadian Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center described the incident as "blatant antisemitism."

"An individual who is reportedly a university instructor stood in a Jewish neighbourhood and repeated some of the oldest and most vile lies and conspiracy theories about Jews," the groups said. "These are antisemitic blood libels that have been used for centuries to justify hatred and violence against Jews."

The statement called on Toronto Police to investigate and lay charges where appropriate. "There must be consequences for those who repeatedly use public demonstrations as cover to spread hatred, incitement and target Toronto's Jewish community," the groups wrote. "Allowing this behaviour to go unchecked is to normalize antisemitism as an everyday feature of life in this city."

Kenney demands charges and visa revocation

Former Conservative MP and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, who served as premier from 2019 to 2022, responded sharply on social media. "This kook sounds like a Sacha Baron Cohen parody," Kenney wrote. "But sadly, he is all too real. An avatar of the Islamist-left coalition that is fuelling out of control antisemitism, particularly at our universities and colleges. Cut funding for these colleges if he is not fired immediately."

Kenney further called on police to "charge him with inciting hatred under the Criminal Code," and demanded authorities "revoke his visa if he is not a citizen" and hold the institutions that employed the man to account. "No more BS from politicians that 'antisemitism has no place in Canada,'" Kenney wrote. "It has a large and dangerous place, including in many of our public institutions."

Police investigating; public asked for information

Toronto Police confirmed to National Post that their Hate Crime Unit is looking into comments made by a demonstrator in the Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West area over the weekend. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3505.

Source: National Post Crime