WHITE NEIGHBOR MUST PAY BLACK COUPLE $40,000 FOR HATE CRIME AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

Montreal, February 10, 2012 --- A Black couple who lived in the Ahuntsic district of Montreal and who was repeatedly exposed to racial harassment and hate-motivated acts by a white neighbor has been awarded $40,000 by the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission.

The couple, who is of Haitian background, lived with their young daughter and niece until 2010 and was frequently called the N-word by the neighbor. The wife was also subjected to sexual insults and other acts of intimidation. The couple's car was vandalized. Even their Black friends were the targets of racial slurs.

The couple was assisted by CRARR through a complaint to the human rights commission and in the criminal prosecution of the neighbor, who was found guilty of hate-motivated offenses.

More information to come.