New York, NY, October 16th, 2018…Today, ADL (Anti-Defamation League) condemned the most recent violent assault against a Orthodox Jewish man in Brooklyn. This attack allegedly took place yesterday in Crown Heights, just one day after the violent assault in Boro Park on Sunday.
According to law enforcement, an Orthodox Jewish man suffered a seemingly unprovoked attack in Crown Heights yesterday when he was allegedly chased down the street by a teen and struck repeatedly with a stick. The victim apparently noticed the alleged perpetrator running toward him and, and in trying to flee, attempted to enter a nearby store. A second bystander was also allegedly struck with a piece of the weapon when it broke as it hit the first victim’s body. The alleged perpetrator has been arrested and is now in custody.
This is the second attack against a member of the Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn in the past two days. On Sunday morning, in Boro Park, an Orthodox Jewish man was walking to synagogue when his attacker stopped his vehicle, ran towards the victim, and began to repeatedly beat him. When a second Orthodox Jewish man tried to come to the first victim’s aid, he was chased down the street by the alleged perpetrator.
Evan Bernstein, ADL’s New York / New Jersey Regional Director, issued the following statement:
“We are deeply disturbed by and unequivocally condemn these horrific attacks, and thank the New York City Police Department and its Hate Crimes Task Force for taking swift action and for investigating a bias motive.” he said.
“We cannot allow events such as these to become the new normal. We will continue to offer our support in responding to hate, so that New York City remains safe and inclusive for all.”
So far in 2018, ADL has tracked 12 anti-Semitic assaults in New York State, 9 of which occurred in Brooklyn. Statewide, ADL tracked a 90% increase in anti-Semitic incidents in 2017, compared to 2016.
Earlier this month, two Jewish men were assaulted in Crown Heights following celebrations of the religious holiday Simchat Torah. ADL has been in contact with NYPD and the community in the aftermath of these attacks.
Anyone with information concerning these assaults is urged to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Today it is the world’s leading organization combating anti-Semitism, exposing hate groups, training law enforcement on hate crimes, developing anti-bias curricula for students, countering cyber-hate and relentlessly pursuing equal rights for all.
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