Friend,
As people of the Jewish faith prepare to observe Passover – a holiday celebrating liberation and freedom – we must acknowledge that something is deeply wrong on the Columbia campus. And it is spreading.
Peaceful protest is the bedrock of our democracy, but that’s not what’s happening here. Threats, intimidation and calls for violence against Jewish students have overtaken the university. Even the university’s rabbi warned Jewish students that campus is no longer safe for them and in-person classes have been suspended.
Free speech does not provide license for this behavior, as a matter of fact this conduct is at war with the right to free expression and is not protected under the constitution.
It is a disgrace that this anti-Semitic behavior has been allowed to continue in the great state of New York - it must end, and it must end now.
And we have to ask ourselves: how did we all let this happen and where are our civic leaders?
To be clear, I’ve been there, and I understand the analysis that leads to inaction.
It all may get worse and, as an elected or civic leader, you may get blamed. But in times of peril doing nothing is not an answer. It’s not a responsible, nor an honorable approach.
We all must stand together and our leaders need to lead. They need to engage publicly, be on the scene expressing their condemnation and supporting those being threatened and intimidated - with words and effective actions. Campus Presidents must do their job and protect the rights of all students on their campuses. If they cannot control the situation and ensure safety, they should bring in law enforcement. Doing nothing is not an option.
History teaches that lesson again and again.
It also tells us what happens if we stay silent.
Very Truly Yours,
Governor Andrew Cuomo
