John,
We are angered, saddened, and disturbed to hear of the anti-Semitic hate crimes that took place in Riverdale — a neighborhood of the Bronx — this past weekend.
I first want to take a moment to extend my condolences and support to everyone in our community who has been impacted by these hate crimes. No one should ever be attacked or need to live in fear because of their race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
The community of Riverdale is an inclusionary, accepting, and loving community — one that is resilient and has no place for hate or discrimination. As a community, we condemn these hate crimes, and we recognize the need to name the threat against our Jewish family, and address it head on.
Jewish people have been the victims of ostracization and persecution for centuries and these attacks are a reminder that we need to be vigilant and active in our fight to dismantle the roots of anti-Semitism in our country, and to work together to stand against injustice and hate in all its forms.
As we see this continued rise in anti-Semitism, we must come together in love and care for one another in the fight to end anti-Semitic hate, now more than ever.
Peace and love,
Jamaal Bowman
