Swastika painted next to Jewish man's car in Kelowna, B.C.
An osteopathic practitioner in Kelowna says he's been targeted for his Jewish heritage before, but that didn't make what happened on Wednesday any easier.
Michael, who asked CTV News Vancouver not to use his last name or image because of concerns for his safety, had just finished work at his West Kelowna clinic and was loading his things into the back seat of his car when he noticed the swastika painted on the pavement behind the vehicle.
The discovery was upsetting.
"(It was) fear and anger, but mainly fear, because I'm a child of Holocaust survivors," Michael said of his reaction.
"I was raised with the knowledge, the education and the details of what my parents went through in the work camps and all my aunts, uncles and grandparents being transported, gassed and cremated."
Michael, who describes himself as modern orthodox Jewish, remembers being physically attacked for his religious identity as a child growing up in Montreal.
He moved to Kelowna from Montreal last year, and said he's had almost entirely positive experiences in the B.C. city.
He said his co-workers and clients have been "very supportive and respectful" of his faith, but in the moment after seeing the Nazi symbol painted near his car, he couldn't help but feel like his visibly Jewish presentation had made him a target.
"At the clinic, besides wearing my scrubs, I openly wear my yarmulke," Michael said. "I don't hide my Judaism or my Jewish identity, as I don't believe I should in a free country like Canada."
He told CTV News he doesn't believe any of his clients or co-workers would have painted the swastika, but added that it seemed likely that the perpetrator would be someone familiar with his workplace and his routine.
After discovering the symbol, Michael called Kelowna RCMP, who are now investigating the incident.
An osteopathic practitioner in Kelowna says he's been targeted for his Jewish heritage before, but that didn't make what happened on Wednesday any easier. (Submitted photo)
In a news release, Mounties asked anyone who saw suspicious activity in the parking lot where the swastika was painted - near Highway 97 and Leckie Road in West Kelowna - to get in touch with them. They're also appealing for any dash cam footage of the scene that may be available.
While he didn't discover the hateful graffiti until around 5:30 p.m., Michael says a colleague told him the symbol was already there by 11 a.m.
Police said they believe the swastika was drawn sometime during the morning, though the exact time isn't known.
“Racism of any kind has no place in our community and will not be tolerated," said Sgt. Joel Glen of West Kelowna RCMP, in the news release.
"We are conducting a fulsome investigation into this incident, and appeal to anyone who witnessed it to come forward.”
Anyone who has information should call Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2800, police said.
Though he worries that whoever painted the swastika in the parking lot might target him for further harassment, Michael said he felt it was important to share the experience and seek justice.
"If it goes unnoticed, it just breeds further ignorance, further hate, and just allows for this sort of thing to keep on happening," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.