May 15, 2020
THE WEEK'S BIG 3
Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. hit an all-time high in 2019, according to data released this week by ADL. Two Queens men are under arrest for allegedly trying to buy high-power weapons, amid ongoing talk by one about targeting Jews -- including praising last year's Hanukkah attack in Monsey. And the Never Again Education Act, which would help provide federal funding to expand Holocaust education in the US, passed the Senate with bipartisan support.
Read on for more on these headlines, news you can use to fight hate and the latest info about ADL from around the country.
1) Antisemitic Incidents in US Hit Record High in 2019
“ADL counted 2,107 anti-Semitic incidents in 2019, finding 61 physical assault cases, 1,127 instances of harassment and 919 acts of vandalism. That’s the highest annual tally since the New York City-based group began tracking anti-Semitic incidents in 1979. It also marked a 12% increase over the 1,879 incidents it counted in 2018.” Associated Press: Read More
+ ADL’s Audit of Antisemitic Incidents: 2019 Year in Review
+ ADL Resource: Tracker of Antisemitic Incidents
2) Two Arrested on Weapons Charges After Making Antisemitic Comments and Threats on Social Media
“The U.S. Attorney, FBI and NYPD announced on Wednesday that the two men, Joseph Miner and Daniel Jou, were facing weapons charges after some racially charged and hateful social media posts raised some red flags, and ultimately launched an investigation. In the criminal complaint, it said that the investigation into Miner began in late 2019 when he posted on social media his interest in obtaining assault weapons for a racial, civil or holy war.” NBC New York: Learn More
+ ADL Resource: When Women are the Enemy: The Intersection of Misogyny and White Supremacy
+ ADL tweet: “Coming one day after our 2019 Audit of Antisemitic incidents, this arrest underscores the dangers of this pernicious form of hate…”
3) US Senate Passes Holocaust Education Act, Heads to President for Signature
“The Never Again Education Act, which would help provide federal funding to expand Holocaust education in the US, passed the Senate with bipartisan support. The bill was first introduced to the House of Representatives by Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-New York) and Elise Sefanik (R-New York). The House passed the bill on January 27.” The Jerusalem Post:
Full Story
+ Press Release: ADL Welcomes Senate Passage of Never Again Education Act
KEY ADL SOCIAL STATEMENTS
- Systemic racism has had an incredibly troubling impact on the disparity in #coronavirus response.
- Steam, the largest online store for PC games, has become an important resource for researchers looking at platforms where white supremacists can openly express their #hateful ideology & calls for violence.
- Far-right extremists, including militia members, are taking advantage of the #COVID19 crisis to spread their dangerous, conspiratorial agenda.
IN THE COMMUNITY
- Pa. Rep. ‘Nazi’ Comment Creates Uproar (Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia)
- No, Rep. Horton, the Stay-at-Home Order is not Like “Nazi Germany” (Big Easy Magazine, New Orleans)
- Married Couple Arrested for Allegedly Attacking Chasidic Jews in Brooklyn (Jewish Journal)