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Political and Communal Leadership Amplify a Resounding Message that Antisemitism and Hate Have No Home in Staten Island

Political and Communal Leadership Amplify a Resounding Message that Antisemitism and Hate Have No Home in Staten Island

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Community leaders and elected officials in a bipartisan showing united on January 17, 2022, to speak out against antisemitism, intolerance, violence, discrimination and hateful actions toward any ethnicity or religion.

The press conference, put together by Assemblyman Michael Cusick and hosted at Borough Hall in St. George, came after a College of Staten Island student was attacked in Brooklyn for wearing clothing that demonstrated Jewish pride as well as the recent synagogue hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas.

Assemblyman Cusick expressed how it is more important than ever to show unity following these incidents.

“Staten Islanders always come together and stand up for their fellow Staten Islanders,” Cusick said. “There has been a rise in anti-Semitism acts on our residents, who are victims in New York City and here [in their community]. Last week, someone was assaulted for identifying as Jewish. This is a hate crime. Staten Islanders will not tolerate this and we will ban together to stop the hate.”

Amy Posner, executive director of Hillel at the College of Staten Island, described the attack on the 21-year-old, who took pride in being an American and Jewish.

“He was attacked for wearing a shirt that showed he was Jewish. He was bloodied and bruised just for walking on the street,” Posner said.

The victim told CBS News he was approached by two men who began yelling anti-Jewish slurs at him before punching him in the face.

“This is just one of many attacks. [Jewish members] cannot sit in their house of worship without fear. There is something wrong with our society if we don’t feel safe. We need to educate and be collaborative. If we educate, we can be a strong New York,” Posner said.

Mendy Mirocznik, the president of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island (COJO), described the scene outside of Young Israel of Staten Island on Saturday night after the NYPD decided to increase its presence around synagogues following the hostage situation in Texas.

“We didn’t see the news on the Shabbat, but when I saw it I thought to myself, it happened again. I thought another conference; another vigil,” said Mirocznik. “But Staten Island is different because our officials are like the choirmaster in our teachings. Staten Island is sending a message that they will do whatever it takes to hold those responsible and accountable for engaging in antisemitism, bigotry and hate. In fighting hate we can just give it lip service. Words won’t do this alone. As a community let us be architects in creating the environment we want to se. Please engage in embracing your neighbor and leave your comfort zone in doing so. We must go out of our way to be nice to a stranger and send the signal this is the world we want. A world that people of all backgrounds are treated with respect and dignity and are judged on their actions not appearances. Let us all become agents of goodwill, please spread love.”

NYPD Deputy Chief Charles McEvoy, the executive officer, Patrol Borough Staten Island reiterated that members of the NYPD will be deployed at synagogues around the city whenever necessary to reassure the Jewish community that it stands united.

District Attorney Michael McMahon sent a clear message to residents that “we do not tolerate hate and we stand against it.”

McMahon said in order for Staten Island to put an end to hate, residents must allow their voices to come together and do something about it.

Borough President Vito Fossella paraphrased the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., saying, “‘We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.’ Let’s not be fools. Let’s be brothers.”

Assemblyman Michael Tannousis said that an attack on one group is an attack on everyone, no matter the race or religion.

“Hate has no place in our society,” he said. “No matter your political side, violence and hate will not be tolerated and you’ll be held accountable.”

Other members who attended the press conference included Councilman David Carr; Assemblyman Mike Reilly; Orit Lender, CEO of the Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC; Scott Maurer, CEO of COJO, Inspector Tania Kinsella, commanding officer of the NYPD’s 120th Precinct; Terry Troia, president and CEO of Project Hospitality; Dr. Tahir Kukaj of the Albanian Cultural Center, and Dr. Victor A. Brown of Mount Sinai Center for Community Enrichment.

“If you are thinking about hate, think twice,” Assemblyman Cusick said at the end of the event. “We are all watching. This borough won’t be silent.”


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