The Christie Pits Riot occurred on 16 August 1933 in Toronto, Ontario. It remains one of the worst outbreaks of ethnic violence in Canadian history with over 10,000 participants and spectators. The riot was sparked by Nazi-inspired youth flying a swastika flag at a public baseball game to antagonize and provoke Jewish Canadians.

Jamie Michaels’ graphic novel, Christie Pits  a gritty ride through Toronto’s immigrant neighbourhoods,tells the incredible story of  young Jewish and Italian immigrants squared off against Nazi-inspired thugs on the streets of Toronto. History never repeats itself, but it often rhymes—the lessons from the 1933 Christie Pits Riot remain as relevant today as when they transpired.

We are proud to present Jamie Michaels and Christie Pits as part of Winnipeg’s Holocaust Education Week programming.