On November 27th, 2024, the Toronto Interfaith Summit Against Antisemitism and Hate brought together interfaith and civic leaders to address the alarming rise in antisemitism and hate crimes across Canada. It was hosted by Deputy Mayor Colle, City Councillor Pasternak and City Councillor Bradford.
Mary Rolland, a founding member of The Interfaith Bridge, emphasized the urgency of addressing hate through interfaith dialogue and community action. Please read her deposition below.
My name is Mary Rolland.
I am a wife, mother, and grandmother, a retired teacher, a neighbour, a friend, a graduate of Toronto's public school system and the University of Toronto, member of the United Church of Canada and a proud member of the Interfaith Bridge Group.
Today, I'm standing here as a proud resident of the City of Toronto, where I was born and have called home for the entirety of my 65 years.
I am here because I am extremely concerned about the alarming increase in hate speech in this city, and in particular, antisemetic words and acts.
Toronto's motto is "diversity is our strength". And over the course of my life, I have seen this city become one of the most diverse cities in the world.
But diversity means nothing if it is not accompanied by inclusion and equality, which would requires citizens of this city working together to ensure that everyone who lives here can benefit from the opportunities the city offers.
And that includes being able to live without fear of violence, discrimination, hate and intolerance.
Over the last 5 years, the way we speak to and about each other in this city has deteriorated. It has now become acceptable to shout and insult others when we disagree with them or call each other names and blame people who are different than us for problems in this city. Our glorious differences are leading to division, not strength.
Hate is a human emotion, but it can be healed with compassion, love, understanding and a willingness to engage.
It can also be fueled and left untreated and can entrench itself at a dizzying pace.
It can escalate to acts of hate that can harm individuals and society.
History has illustrated for us, time and time again, century by century, that hate speech is the foundation of genocide.
Surely, we can learn and stop it?
I am personally offended and horrified to see members of the Jewish community in Toronto being targeted because of the conflict in the Middle East.
When Jewish children in this city cannot attend school in safety and joy, as my children once did, every single person in this city should be horrified.
When members of the Jewish community cannot attend their houses of worship without fear, as I can, every single person in this city should be horrified.
When Jewish business establishments are targeted by vandalism and their customers threatened, every single person in this city should be horrified.
When students at our universities cannot walk across campus safely, as I once did, every single person in this city should be horrified.
This is not politics. This is not peaceful protest. These children, families, students have nothing to do with the conflict in the middle east, despite what many would have us believe.
It is hate for jews. It is antisemitism and it is ugly.
It is wrong.
Sadly, Jews are not the only group targeted by hate in this city. Blacks, Muslims, Asians, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community and many others have and continue to suffer micro-aggressions on the streets every day. And it is getting worse. And I acknowledge that many of those incidents would not come to my attention, as they should.
But the incidents of antisemitism are on the news. And what saddens me is that there seems to be a growing acceptance of antisemitism. It is met too often by silence. Silence is complicity.
I am shocked at the silence of this city's residents.
And I am scared because our history in the last 100 years teaches us what happens when good, thoughtful, law-abiding, tolerant people remain silent.
I am not a political activist. I don't do rallies. I have rarely written a letter to a politician.
But I feel compelled to stand up for what is right. I feel compelled to stand up and fight for a tolerant, safe city where we celebrate and benefit from our differences.
I hope this city, its leaders and all its citizen will stand up with me.