Williamsburg – In recent months there have been numerous incidents of anti-Semitic vandalism in Williamsburg, including the discovery of a swastika in Kent Village Housing this week. These hate crimes, typically in the form of swastika graffiti in areas of Williamsburg with a large Hasidic population, erode the sense of security that has long existed for the Williamsburg community. While these crimes are being investigated by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, Council Member Levin is joining Rabbi David Niederman, Executive Director of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg, Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, and other community leaders in a stand of solidarity to call for an end to the hateful graffiti and a restoration of a sense of calm and security in the community.

“One act of hate is too many, but I really cannot believe the amount of anti-Semitic graffiti that has been on display in Williamsburg over the past few months,” said Levin. “I find it incredibly troubling that there are people out there, whether kids or adults, who think it is acceptable to tag swastikas and other symbols of anti-Jewish sentiment around Williamsburg. We are here today to demand that whoever is perpetrating these crimes to stop—residents in this community should be able to walk down the streets in their own neighborhood without being fearful. In a community as diverse as Williamsburg, we must learn to co-exist peacefully. I applaud the NYPD’s commitment to finding the perpetrators of these terrible crimes and bringing them to justice, but we, as a community, must work together to ensure that this type of hate does not persist in our neighborhood.”

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force focuses on apprehending perpetrators of hate crimes – unlawful acts committed against persons, groups or places targeted because of their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, gender or age. The NYPD has always been responsive to the needs of Williamsburg and the community remains confident that the perpetrators of these hate crimes will be brought to justice.

“Residents of Kent Village Housing, some of whom are Holocaust survivors, were terrified to once again see swastikas in our neighborhood,” said Rabbi Niederman. “Today, our community stands together to say that we are united against hate and intolerance in any form. Religious and racial discrimination have no place in our community.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)