A coalition of Asian community groups in Montreal, led by the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), publicly denounced antisemitism in June following a firebombing at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom synagogue on June 5, 2026. The attack caused damage to the building but no injuries. The coalition, representing Cambodian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Filipino communities, aimed to show solidarity with the Jewish community and take concrete action against rising hate.
Concrete Steps for Solidarity
Fo Niemi, co-founder and executive director of CRARR, emphasized the importance of tangible actions. “We don’t want to just talk. We want to build things that could be lasting, so it can be better evidence of how much we have in common,” he said in an interview with the National Post. The coalition’s efforts included a multi-faith, multi-ethnic dedication service on June 30 to honour Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, killed in a June 22 shooting in Côte-des-Neiges, and 68-year-old bystander Michel Moshe Mizrahi, who also died in the incident.
CRARR’s Long History of Combating Hate
Founded in 1983, CRARR quickly made combating hate crime a priority, including antisemitism. Niemi noted that after the October 7, 2023 attacks, there was a rise in violent targeting of Jewish institutions, schools, and synagogues. In response, CRARR brought together a group of 10 women from diverse backgrounds to speak out from a mother’s and grandmother’s perspective. “We call it ‘the common experience of the common humanity,’” Niemi said, highlighting the importance of bringing people of goodwill together.
Niemi’s Recognition and Advocacy
Niemi has been a prominent figure in racial justice, receiving the Quebec Justice Award in 1995, the Queen’s Commemorative Silver Jubilee Medal in 2002, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He has advised police and served on boards including the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and the Canadian Bar Association’s racial equity committee. His work has been honoured by the Indigenous Bar Association, the Chinese Neighbourhood Society, the National Association of Canadians of Origins from India, the Muslim Council of Montreal, and the Lord Redding Society (Montreal Jewish Bar Association).
Broader Context of Antisemitism in Canada
The firebombing occurred amid a surge in antisemitic incidents across Canada. According to a 2025 survey by the Association for Canadian Studies, nearly a third of Canadians believe antisemitism has become more acceptable. The coalition’s actions reflect a growing movement of non-Jews speaking out against antisemitism, including an open letter from leading non-Jewish Canadians condemning the trend.
