Friday’s anti-Semitic, racist acts that occurred on Ocean Parkway in the Midwood Section of Brooklyn and the attempt by the Daily News to link Occupy Wall Street (OWS) to these heinous acts have compelled us to release this statement. When an act of violence and bigotry occurs in our community, we, as a group, need to take a leadership role and stand with other community leaders and fellow New Yorkers to speak out in opposition to these acts. History teaches us that silence can be interpreted as approving or condoning the bigotry.
Today we condemn the reported acts of “torching three cars and defacing other property with anti-Semitic messages.” Specifically, it has been reported that “eight nearby benches were sprayed with Nazi swastikas, SS, KKK symbols, and other inflammatory remarks.”The media has attempted to implicate OWS in these criminal acts while offering zero evidence to support their claims. This ignores the fact that OWS’s values and daily activities demonstrate openness, inclusiveness, and equality. We represent a wide array of political beliefs, races, religions, and sexual orientations. OWS strives to mirror the diversity of our city. We are growing, and highly inclusive, and these aspects make it possible for some to mischaracterize, defame, and vilify this movement.
Consequently, we are inviting all New Yorkers to march with us tomorrow in solidarity against anti-Semitism, racism, bigotry and hate. We will meet at noon , Sunday November 13, 2011, on Ocean Parkway and Avenue J in the Midwood section of Brooklyn. Let’s stand together and show the world that acts like this will not be tolerated in our community.
(Press Release From Occupy Wall Street)
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8 Responses
Who exactly is OWS? Is there a comittee or a board with a chairman?
No good can come from this.
Please stay in Zuccotti Park; we don’t need more squatters in Midwood!
They scheduled the program on Sunday afternoon so none of the OWS’ers have to miss work.
Markmark: :-). Someone recently reported that the protesters were going about their business of complaining about no jobs, etc. in front of a business with “Now Hiring” – “Help Wanted” signs posted their windows. Ironic or revealing? Answer that one for yourself.
What about all the anti-semitic signs they were holding up and slogans they were yelling? So inclusive, etc.!!
Is Hikind a representive of the ows?
TO NO. 7
While Dov Hikind has expressed solidarity with most of the issues that are the focus of Occupy Wall Street, I don’t believe he has formally endorsed their entire agenda. Likewise, I don’t think Hikind has been authorized by OWS to be their representative in Brooklyn since they don’t have an organized leadership.