A home in Kitchener spotted flying a World War II Nazi Germany flag is now under investigation, Waterloo Regional Police Services (WRPS) says.
Police say they received reports of a flag displaying “offensive symbols” at a residence in the southeastern Ontario city on Monday.
The offensive symbol in question is a Second World War Nazi flag, representing armed forces called Wehrmacht, and is associated with German dictator Adolf Hitler and his incitement of genocide against Jewish people. Between 1941 and 1945, the German army killed about six million Jewish people, according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia.
The WRPS says it has commenced an investigation against the residence, alongside members of WRPS Neighbourhood Policing Patrol.
The police say the flag’s hateful message is not welcome in the region, and that they have been in consistent dialogue with members within the community who have been impacted by the symbols displayed on the flag.
“We understand that the presence of any symbol associated with hate can be deeply offensive. WRPS is committed to addressing any unlawful behavior,” WRPS Public Information Officer Const. Chris Iden said in an email to Now Toronto on Thursday.
“While individuals have the right to freedom of expression under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, offensive expression, rooted in hate, have no place in Waterloo Region.”
WRPS says officers attempted to speak to the homeowners but they were unable to make contact. As of Thursday, WRPS said they received reports that the flag had been taken down, but were unable to confirm if it was.
Mayor of Kitchener Berry Vrbanovic said he has also heard that the flag was removed from the residence, and further denounced the act of placing the negative symbol in the community.
“Through residents who have reached out to me, the presence of a flag that symbolizes hatred and one of the darkest periods in the history of our planet, was allegedly being flown at a residence in our community,” the mayor told Now Toronto.
“As a community, we stand against those actions or symbols that are not consistent with love, inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all.”
The brazen act comes at a tense time where antisemitism has heightened throughout the country, only days before more than 100 Jewish institutions across Canada were targeted with bomb threats via email.
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Photos and video footage of the flag outside of the residence is circulating on social media, and users are outraged at the blatant display of hatred.
“Waiving the flag of a regime that is the ultimate sign of hatred and bigotry should be followed up by jail time,” one user said on Reddit.
“That’s disgusting,” another Reddit user commented.
“This should be reported to authorities and prosecuted as a criminal code offence,” a user on X said.
