Mayor Farkas Lights Up City Hall, Delivers Powerful Anti-Hate Message Amidst Rising Tensions
The Scene: A Beacon of Hope on Stephen Avenue
This past Monday, December 15th, Calgarians gathered at City Hall for the Chabad of Alberta's 37th Annual Community Menorah Lighting, a tradition now deeply woven into our city's festive fabric. The air, usually crisp with winter chill, hummed with live music, the sweet voices of school choirs, and the shared warmth of traditional Jewish food. But beneath the celebratory glow, a profound message resonated, one that hits close to home for every Calgarian navigating today's complex world. Mayor Jeromy Farkas, newly elected in October 2025, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Premier Danielle Smith and other dignitaries, not just observing, but speaking with what observers described as "moral clarity and passionate allyship." His words, "When leaders hesitate, hate advances," weren't just a political statement; they were a direct challenge to extremist elements, delivered just a day after the tragic shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. For families attending, it was a moment of both celebration and solemn reflection, a reminder that even in Calgary, vigilance is paramount.
What's Changing: Calgary's Stand Against a Darker Tide
Mayor Farkas's unambiguous stance comes at a critical time for our city. Hate and bias-motivated crimes in Calgary have alarmingly more than doubled in just four years, jumping from 115 incidents in 2019 to a staggering 243 in 2023. This isn't just a statistic; it represents real fear and real harm affecting our neighbours on Deerfoot and The Bow. Disturbingly, the Jewish community has borne the brunt of this surge, accounting for 44% of religion-motivated hate crimes in Calgary in 2022. This local context makes the Mayor's strong words not just timely but essential. It underscores the City of Calgary's commitment, laid out in its "Dismantling Systemic Racism, Transforming Lives: City of Calgary Anti-Racism Strategic Plan 2023–2027" adopted in May 2023, to ensure equitable access and create anti-racist safe spaces for all residents, from Ward 11 to the farthest corners of our city.
The Neighborhood Vibe: Unity and its Complexities
However, the path to unity isn't always straightforward. The event itself, hosted in our civic building, sparked discussions among various community groups. A coalition, including the Calgary Peoples' Assembly, had previously called for the annual City Hall menorah lighting to be free of "pro-Israel messaging" and the raffling of Israeli government bonds, or even for the City to deny the use of City Hall altogether. Haneen Omar from the Palestinian Community Association of Calgary voiced a sentiment shared by some, noting, "Banning flags in the morning and then promoting raising money for a foreign government in the evening is not consistent." This highlights the delicate balance our city leaders must strike in fostering inclusivity while navigating global conflicts and local sensitivities within shared public spaces. It reminds us that for many Calgarians, the decisions made on Stephen Avenue have a direct impact on their sense of belonging and fairness in our diverse neighborhoods.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action for Every Calgarian
Ultimately, the message from the 37th Annual Community Menorah Lighting was clear: hate has no home in Calgary. Mayor Farkas's leadership in condemning hateful extremists sends a powerful signal to every Calgarian that our city will not stand idly by. This isn't just about what happens at City Hall; it's about the daily lives of families across our city, the safety of our kids in schools, and the freedom to express cultural and religious identity without fear. As we move forward, the onus is on all of us – from community leaders to everyday citizens – to ensure that the light of understanding and acceptance always outshines the shadows of division. Because as the Mayor reminded us, when leaders stand tall, hate cannot advance, and that's a truth every Calgarian can live by.
