In an alarming development, Mayor Eric Adams has sounded the warning bell against the “pervasive” and “normalized” hate crimes that have been plaguing New York City, with recent figures showing a 68% surge in such incidents last month. Addressing a community summit on combating hate crimes, Adams lamented the escalation of hatred to a level he has never witnessed before in his lifetime. He expressed concern over the ease with which hate has been accepted and integrated into society, calling for a moment of reflection on where this is leading and what the future holds.
The summit held at Gracie Mansion in Manhattan’s Upper East Side saw around 50 New Yorkers recount their experiences as victims of hate crimes over the past year. Discussions ensued regarding the most effective ways to combat this scourge gripping the city.
According to the latest crime statistics released by the NYPD, hate crimes in June alone surged an astonishing 68% compared to the same month last year. Out of the total 62 hate crimes recorded for that month, over half targeted Jews, as per police figures.
The eight speakers at the summit represented a diverse cross-section of communities, including the black community, the Asian community, the Jewish community, the Muslim community, and the LGTQ community. Government officials were also present.
Civil Rights Lawyer Norman Siegel, who organized the event, assured attendees that they would not leave without an “action plan” – one that involves conducting town hall meetings across the five boroughs by the NYC and NYS Human Rights Commissions along with civil rights groups.
Siegel explained that while the Israel-Hamas war has contributed to the increased incidents of hate crimes, antisemitism wasn’t the primary focus of the summit. Rather, he emphasized that it was essential to acknowledge that all communities are victims of hate.
One notable attendee was Itay Morchi Levi, a jazz musician who moved to New York 11 years ago from Israel. He spoke about a violent incident at his club in Brooklyn where red paint was thrown at people and hateful messages were stuck on the door. Despite the shocking incident, Morchi Levi expressed optimism after hearing from officials and members of the community.
According to NYPD statistics, there were 45 incidents of crime targeting Jewish people last month, compared to just 19 in June last year. This figure is particularly significant given that hate crimes directed towards Jews make up a considerable portion of all reported incidents in New York City. Michelle Ahdoot, Director of Communications for End Jew Hatred, emphasized the need for targeted action against this specific form of hatred, highlighting how Jewish communities feel threatened and unsafe on an almost daily basis due to radical Hamas supporters marching through city streets calling for the genocide of Jews.
In response to these alarming trends, an “abate hate” action plan was drafted at the summit but will only be released in full after Labor Day when it’s hoped to be implemented. The aim is not just to address current issues but also to prevent such incidents from becoming normalized and accepted within society.
