New York, NY, August 12, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed concern over two swastikas that were found etched into a booth of a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Station.

According to reports, the swastikas were discovered on August 10 at the Lawrence station’s waiting areas.

“This is not the first time a train station in this area of Long Island has been the scene of the worst kind of anti-Semitic imagery,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “Lawrence is home to a large Jewish community, and while this is incident is deeply troubling, a pattern of anti-Semitism does not necessarily exist in the town.”

Mr. Bernstein added, “Long Island, however, is not immune to anti-Jewish acts. Community leaders and local elected officials therefore must make their voices heard and strongly condemn these types of incidents. We support Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky’s initiative to install surveillance cameras at LIRR stations.”

In January, swastikas were also found at a nearby station in Cedarhurst, which were drawn in a similar fashion.

According to ADL’s annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, Long Island experienced 64 incidents in 2014, including 26 in Nassau County. Anti-Semitic incidents across the state also rose by 14 percent.

 

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY