John,

I know many New Yorkers are hurting right now.

Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, brutally killing women and children and kidnapping hundreds — including Americans — tension has risen in communities across New York. For Jewish and Muslim New Yorkers alike, the pain is deep, as they fear not just for the safety of their loved ones in harm's way, but increasingly, for their own safety here at home.

As governor, my number one priority is protecting New Yorkers.

I’ve met with Jewish and Muslim communities.

I’ve heard about the fear they’re feeling.

And I want to let you know directly what your state government is doing to protect all New Yorkers from discrimination and violence. New York State is:

✅ Committing $50 million to help local law enforcement agencies prevent and solve crime, including hate crimes 

✅ Supporting communities at risk of hate crimes, with $25 million to help vulnerable organizations boost security  

✅ Conducting a third-party review of CUNY’s antisemitism and anti-discrimination policies  

✅ Expanding State Police's Social Media Analysis Unit to monitor threats on school and college campuses 

✅ Launching in-person, community specific community circles through the Division of Human Rights to bring New Yorkers together

Every single New Yorker has a right to feel safe and to be safe as they go about their daily lives — we must accept nothing less.

We will not allow hate and intimidation to become normalized. We will not risk losing our identity as a place that has been long admired, a place known for acceptance. We are New Yorkers, and we will continue to set an example for the rest of the country and the world.

Ever upward, 

Gov. Kathy Hochul