New York, NY, December 18, 2017 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed deep concern after the discovery of two swastikas drawn in snow at the Bronx High School of Science in New York City late last week.

ADL was alerted to the incident at the specialized public school when it was first discovered by a student on December 14. A second swastika was reportedly found carved in snow at the school the following day. Both incidents were reported to ADL by several individuals connected with the high school, including students and parents.

“The rise in hate and anti-Semitism in public schools is of great concern,” said ADL New York Regional Director Evan R. Bernstein. “Just recently, the ADL audit reported a disturbingly high number of incidents of anti-Semitic bullying and vandalism in K-12 schools and college campuses. This kind of blatant display of hatred cannot be normalized and must be addressed within our schools and communities. This cannot be allowed to continue.”

“We are in discussion with the Bronx High School of Science,” Bernstein added, “and we look forward to the opportunity to work with them to address these concerning incidents.”

In the first three quarters of 2017, ADL tracked a 92% increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the five boroughs of New York City, with New York State receiving one in five anti-Semitic incidents reported nationally.

 

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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