Muslim community applauds Ryerson arrest

Attorney General must proceed with hate crime charges, says CAIR-CAN

(Ottawa, Canada - 20/10/2004) - The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN) today expressed its relief that a suspect has been arrested and charged with mischief and two counts of threatening death in connection with death threats and hate literature found at Ryerson University. The suspect also faces hate-crimes charges.

Kevin Haas, 21, was arrested on Monday, October 18, as he was reportedly posting hate literature outside the Arab Student Association office (ASA). On October 14, the ASA and the Muslim Student Associations (MSA) received a note under their door that read, "Those who follow the Islam faith need to be killed in the worst possible way imaginable."

For more details, see: http://www.theeyeopener.com/storydetail.cfm?storyid=1366
http://www.caircan.ca/mw_more.php?id=1191_0_7_0_M
http://www.caircan.ca/mw_more.php?id=1192_0_7_0_M

Earlier this summer, CAIR-CAN called on the administration of Ryerson University and the Toronto police to investigate the hate incidents that targeted Canadian Muslims at the university. (See:
http://www.caircan.ca/itn_more.php?id=A1101_0_2_0_M)

In June, the multi-faith room at Ryerson University was sprayed with the words "Die Muslim Die" and Stars of David.

In August, a notice was found signed by a group called "Full Blooded Israeli Brigades" claiming responsibility for the hate graffiti. The message stated in part: "...We assure the Muslim students at Ryerson University that we will continue to send messages and that this incident is only the first of many. We want to let them know that no Muslim student will be safe and that security isn't going to stop us."

Also in August, flyers were found on bulletin boards at four locations on campus. One of the flyers reportedly said: "The Islamic infidels have no belonging in Toronto and in the world at all...we ask that whenever you spot a Muslim...that you beat them and cause harm to them. Kill these Islamic infidels."

In a statement issued today, CAIR-CAN wrote:

"Canadian Muslims commend the vigilance of Ryerson's security officers in apprehending the suspected subject connected with the recent string of hate threats and literature.

"We hope the arrest at Ryerson University is the beginning of closure to this disturbing episode. Despite the recent arrest, it is welcome to see that Toronto Police will continue with their investigation and have not ruled out the possibility that other individuals may have been involved.

"The criminal charges against Mr. Haas are not, however, sufficient. We are calling on Ontario's Attorney General Michael Bryant to prosecute this case as a hate crime."