Left to right: Scissura, Lentol, Niederman, Levin, Elisa Torres, and Weiser Jeff Mann

Local Leaders Rally in Response to Latest Anti-Semitic Vandalism

Rabbi David Niederman, Executive Director of United Jewish Organizations (UJO) has a message for whoever drew a swastika in Kent Village Housing last week. “Do these people understand what it means to a Holocaust survivor to see a swastika?” he asked. “This is worse than just a bias crime, a hateful crime. This is inciting people to violence and the message is that it has to be stopped. We are committed to stopping this now.”

In response to the swastika graffiti, the latest in a string of local anti-Semitic acts, Niederman, Assemblyman Joe Lentol and Councilmember Steve Levin rallied for an end to hate crimes in the community on Friday, January 13th. The three were joined by Carlo Scissura of Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz’ office and community leaders to demand increased vigilance by residents and the police in preventing bias crimes in North Brooklyn.

“I find it incredibly troubling that there are people out there, who think it is acceptable to tag swastikas and other symbols of anti-Jewish sentiment around Williamsburg,” said Levin. “We are here today to demand that whoever is perpetrating these crimes stop—residents in this community should be able to walk down the streets in their own neighborhood without being fearful.”

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is currently investigating the vandalism and the community remains confident that the perpetrators will be caught. Levin says he has total faith in the NYPD, but adds that responsibility for eliminating bias crimes belongs to everyone. “We as a community, must work together to ensure that this type of hate does not persist in our neighborhood.”

Lentol also urged the neighborhood to get involved. “We have to stand up as a community,” he said. “The police have to make a better effort to make sure this doesn’t happen and our justice system has to not allow it once we catch these perpetrators. Those of you who would perpetrate hate, I tell you today, that we will not stop until we find you and bring you to justice.”

Markowitz and Scissura demanded tolerance for all. “Brooklyn’s diversity is our strength…That’s why we must remain vigilant in condemning hatred and discrimination against anyone,” said the BP. And Scissura warned, “When you are in Brooklyn, you must act with respect towards all people.”

“Today, our community stands together to say that we are united against hate and intolerance in any form,” said Niederman. “Religious and racial discrimination have no place in our community.”

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