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New York Fights Hate by Calling It Out

New York Fights Hate by Calling It Out

By Yehudit Garmaise   

"What can the state of New York do?" Gov. Kathy Hochul asked this morning at an Orthodox Union gathering about anti-Semitism at the Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan.

Today, the governor announced, "a statewide, hate and bias prevention unit that will be embedded within our Department of Human Rights."

While New York Jews might feel skeptical about another government agency attempting to prevent Esav from hating Yaakov, Gov. Hochul has high hopes. 

The new Hate and Bias Prevention Unit "is not just going to be sitting in a bureaucratic office,” she claimed.

Calling the new unit "an effective instrument for change," Hochul said the government could help to prevent hate crimes "by educating people as to what the signs are and acting as an 'early warning system.'"

In what will be a statewide initiative, Hochul described ten regional councils working together across New York's 62 counties to share concerns, organize educational programming, and host events that will promote "community healing and hate crime prevention."

The ten statewide councils also will conduct training sessions in conflict resolution, help NY residents file complaints about hate speech, and "develop a rapid response team to assist communities affected by incidents of hate."

"You have reinforcement, friends, and allies, and people who are deeply committed to ensuring that we fulfill our moral responsibility," said Hochul, who described calling out anti-Semitism as "a moral obligation."

"Each of us, Jewish or non-Jewish, have to lift up our voices and stand up: whenever an arm is raised, or a voice is spewing out evil words on the subway or on a street corner."

"Stand up, New York. Stand up together."

The governor also mentioned new legislation that requires NY public schools to teach Holocaust education and the $96 million she provided in the state budget. The funding goes toward security grants for which synagogues, yeshivas, camps, and community centers can apply "to protect the people who gather within," she said.

In addition, Gov. Hochul signed legislation prohibiting insurance companies from canceling insurance, raising premiums, and refusing to issue policies to victims of hate crimes.

"Victims of hate crimes have already been targeted and do not deserve to be taken advantage of a second time by insurance companies who seek to raise their premiums or cancel their policies," said Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (District 48). 

Eichenstein sponsored the bill to ensure that hate crime victims remain covered and feel free to report hate crimes without fear of retribution.


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