New York creating ‘Hate and Bias Prevention’ task force to combat antisemitism
New York is launching a new task force to address the growing threat of antisemitism and other hate crimes in the state, Gov. Hochul announced on Monday.
The Hate and Bias Prevention Unit will spearhead public education and outreach efforts statewide, serve as an early warning detection system in local communities, and help mobilize rapid response efforts in places where bias incidents occur, the governor said.
Hochul announced the new effort after meeting with Mayor Adams, Jewish leaders and other elected officials in Manhattan to discuss security and antisemitism ahead of the start of Hanukkah next week.
“This is not just a New York City phenomenon, this is going to penetrate throughout the entire state of New York,” the governor said during an appearance at the Lincoln Square Synagogue. “That’s how we change people’s hearts and minds.
“And I’m going to make sure that this organization newly founded, renouncing it today, right here, is actually ... an effective vehicle, an effective instrument for change,” she added.
The New York State Division of Human Rights will oversee the new task force and organize 10 regional councils across the state made up of local stakeholders.
The councils will provide a place for community members to share concerns, organize educational programming, host hate crime prevention as well as community healing events.
Last week, the NYPD released data showing that anti-Semitic hate crimes in the five boroughs more than doubled in November compared to a year ago.
The city recorded 45 crimes targeting Jewish people in November compared to 20 in November 2021, according to the NYPD statistics.
The 125% jump came at the same time two men were busted for plotting to shoot up a city synagogue and national figures such as the artist formerly known as Kanye West have promoted antisemitic ideas.
West drew wide condemnation for recently praising Hitler and repeatedly making incendiary comments about Jewish people.
In April, the Anti-Defamation League released its own data showing that in 2021, New York led the U.S. in total reported antisemitic incidents. The 416 incidents documented by the group represented a 24% increase from a year earlier.
Adams also addressed the issue during remarks made prior to Hochul’s announcement, focusing in on the relationship between Black and Jewish communities in the city.
“We have to look at the historical relationships between communities in general, but specifically, the Black-Jewish relationship,” he said. “We have failed to build out a pipeline. We have failed to be creative in how we get a new pipeline of leaders of young people coming together on college campuses, in our schools, reaching out and communicating with each other.”
The mayor vowed to use violence interrupters to “show how the direction we’re heading is wrong.”
Adams also argued in favor of changing state law so those charged with a hate crime cannot plea down to a lesser charge.
“It is time for us to refocus our attention on the innocent people of the city and innocent people of this country and stop being a safe haven for those who participate in criminal behavior,” he said.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) as well as U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also attended the summit with Jewish leaders.
“There is no such thing as a small act of antisemitism,” Mayorkas said. “An act of such hate whether it is a swastika, painted on a college campus elevator or an act of vandalism against the synagogue or Jewish Day School does not victimize only those who ride that elevator or attend that synagogue or day school. It reverberates throughout our community, our country and even the world. It spreads fear and is without borders.
“We must respond accordingly,” he added.
