Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn), Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and community leaders will hold a news conference today in connection with the recent assaults on Avrohom Wolosow and Rabbi Yosef Raksin, and the increasing threat to the safety of residents in Brooklyn.

The event will begin at 5pm in front of 339 Albany Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Union Street, the site of Wednesday’s assault on a 24-year-old Jewish student. The officials will then proceed to the Raksin home at 738 Empire Boulevard.

Raksin, a Brooklyn resident, was murdered while walking to synagogue in Miami on August 9 in what many believe was a clear bias attack, despite initial reports to the contrary.

Avrohom Wolosow, a 24-year-old Orthodox Jewish student, was surrounded and attacked by three black teens in Crown Heights on August 15. Community members are outraged that despite a police response and the apprehension of one assailant, the incident was summarily dismissed and no arrest was made.

“We can’t afford for New York’s Finest to be apprehensive when dealing with sensitive situations,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Individuals shouldn’t have to live in fear; they should feel confidant knowing that there are laws that protect all of us and that these laws will be enforced.”

According to witnesses, Wolosow screamed for help when surrounded and attacked, and Shmira volunteer patrol members responded, chasing the assailants. One teen was observed running into the China Pavilion restaurant at 302 Troy Avenue. Two police officers responded to Shmira’s call and other police officers converged as the assailant was apprehended but then permitted to leave by the lead officer. After the assailant walked away, medics took Wolosow to the hospital.

Witnesses claim that conversations with the lead officer and another officer indicated that they were afraid to make arrests for fear of reprisals.

There were also several other bias incidents recently reported in Crown Heights:

On August 14, a 9-year-old Jewish boy riding a bicycle was struck on the head by a 16-year-old and on August 7, a teenager punched a Jewish adult in the face. In both incidents, the attacks were preceded or followed by anti-Semitic slurs.

(Press Release)