New York State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi was celebrating, on Dec. 15, the signing into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo of a new bill S8298B, for which she was the lead sponsor, which prohibits the State of New York from selling or displaying symbols of hate.

The bill states that the State shall not sell or display any symbols of hate or similar image, or tangible personal property, inscribed with such an image, unless the image appears in a book, digital medium, museum, or otherwise serves an educational or historical purpose.

The term, “symbols of hate” shall include, but not be limited to, symbols of white supremacy, neo-Nazi ideology, or the battle flag of the confederacy.

The bill also amends an existing law by adding a new section whereby the State shall take any measures necessary to prohibit the sale on the grounds of the State fair, and any other fairs that receive government funding, of symbols of hate, as defined in the law, or any similar image or tangible personal property, inscribed with such an image, unless the image appears in a book, digital medium, or otherwise, serves an educational or historical purpose.

In a statement following the announcement, Biaggi said, “Symbols of hate have no place in our society, let alone on State property. With the signing of my bill, we are drawing a clear line in the sand.” She added, “By limiting hateful symbols from being glorified on State property, New York will denounce images that represent violence while still acknowledging our nation’s shameful history of oppression. This bill allows New York State to lead by example, and discourage the perpetuation of symbols that do not represent our values of justice and inclusion. Today, we say no to hate.”

The act shall take effect immediately.

admin

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.