‘This is heinous’: Swastika painted on Winnipeg school

The Winnipeg School Division said a swastika was recently painted outside of Kelvin High School, prompting an investigation.

A Winnipeg high school was vandalized with hate symbols in another instance of concerning vandalism in the city.

The Winnipeg School Division confirmed Tuesday that a swastika was found painted on the outside of Kelvin High School late Monday.

Superintendent Matt Henderson called the graffiti, “sickening.”

“I think as a community, we have to stand up and say this is wrong, this is heinous,” he said. “We will not stand for this.”

The vandalism comes days after hate-related graffiti and vandalism were reported at a Winnipeg synagogue and restaurant.

On Friday, Congregation Shaarey Zedek was vandalized with swastika graffiti. Two days later, Habibiz Café, a Palestinian-owned Middle Eastern restaurant, had its windows smashed. The Winnipeg Police Service’s major crimes unit is investigating both incidents and no arrests have been made.

Henderson said the division sent a letter home to students about the seriousness of the situation, and notes they have connected with the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg for resources on how to move forward and promote tolerance in schools. The letter to parents said the division arranged to have the graffiti “removed immediately.”

“While it’s been a day of sadness and significant disappointment, it’s been really positive to see how the community has come together,” he said.

Winnipeg police confirmed they received a report about the Kelvin High School vandalism and are investigating.

-With files from CTV’s Harrison Shin and Kimberly Rio Wertman