Hate crimes in New York City continue to rise as various elected officials across New York State have continued to rally around Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), who is Jewish, in response to the recent protest organized by Republican gubernatorial candidate, Rob Astorino, outside Dinowitz’s Bronx office at 3107 Kingsbridge Avenue on Sunday, Nov. 14. During the rally, which was held two weeks ahead of the annual, Jewish festival of Hanukkah, at least one protestor displayed two signs containing swastikas and another protestor had a yellow star affixed to his clothing.

 

Hate crimes in New York City are up 95.5 percent since 2020 according to NYPD data as of Nov. 21, with 497* hate crimes recorded citywide this year. Of those incidents, the NYPD told the Norwood News that 180* are classified as anti-Semitic. In the Bronx, hate crimes are up 126.3 percent year-to-date from 2020, with 43 such crimes reported so far this year, while in the last 28 days, hate crimes are up 300 percent in the borough. In the 50th precinct, which covers Riverdale, Fieldston, Kingsbridge, Marble Hill, and Spuyten Duyvil, a broad area that is home to a substantial Jewish population, hate crimes are up 800 percent, year to date, versus last year.

 

The NYPD told the Norwood News that a precinct level breakdown of anti-Semitic hate crimes is not readily available. We asked the NYPD if the incident outside Dinowitz’s home is being investigated as a hate crime. An NYPD spokesperson responded saying no complaint report was on file in relation to the incident.

 

The NYPD also make clear on their website how hate crimes are defined. Under the law, a hate crime is a criminal act that is motivated in whole or substantial part by the perceived identity of the victim. For example, when a person calls another person an insulting name, it is just a name and not a crime, even if the name is hateful and offensive. This kind of name calling is generally protected as free speech.

 

In contrast, if someone calls a person a hateful name because of their identity alone and also assaults them, the assault is a crime, and the motivation makes the act a hate crime as well. The hate crime designation can also apply to other crimes, such as criminal mischief and graffiti, like painting racial slurs or swastikas on public or private property or the desecration of cemeteries associated with particular religious or racial groups. Free speech protections end with the committing of a criminal act, and hateful speech or writing in conjunction with a crime, is a hate crime.

 

In response to the Nov. 14 rally, billed as a protest against the child COVID-19 vaccine mandate, Dinowitz issued a statement, saying, “I am disgusted and offended by the anti-Semitic imagery that was brought to my office by apparent supporters of Rob Astorino’s failing gubernatorial campaign.” The assemblyman said people were free to express their opinions on vaccine policy and on any issue, but he drew the line at swastikas.

 

He continued, “I understand that Mr. Astorino is desperate for support for his struggling campaign for Governor, but to stand next to swastikas and yellow Stars of David outside of a Jewish legislator’s office shows a lack of integrity at best and an embrace of right-wing extremism at worst.” The assemblyman went on to say that Astorino was not who New York needed as governor. “I want to believe that this kind of unhinged embrace of Nazi symbols is why 95 percent of Republican leaders across the state chose to support somebody else for governor, but the jury remains out on how many Republican leaders will condemn Mr. Astorino’s embrace of anti-Semitism.”

 

Dinowitz said that on the substance of what he referred to as a publicity stunt over his proposed legislation to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the current list of required vaccines to attend school in New York, he refused to be cowed by anti-Semites or anti-science extremists. “Vaccine requirements have a demonstrably positive impact on vaccination rates, and vaccination rates have a demonstrably positive impact on reducing fatalities and hospitalizations from preventable diseases,” he said.

 

To date, 46,443 people have died from the coronavirus in New York State, including 4,260 Bronxites. Many families live with the ongoing trauma and heartache of not having had the chance to be with their loved ones in their final hours, and not having been able to gather for a normal funeral service due to social distancing restrictions around such events. Apart from the human cost, the COVID-19 pandemic has also had a devastating impact on the economy, as reported.

 

As also reported, the assemblyman has been a driver of proposed legislation which aims to prosecute those producing or carrying fake vaccination cards, and he also held at least one virtual town hall to combat COVID-19 vaccine misinformation on Thursday, Sept. 23, which can be watched here.

.@RobAstorino has no shame. Cavorting with anti-vaxxers brandishing Nazi symbols is a new low, even for him.

I stand in full support of @JeffreyDinowitz for his sensible+courageous position on childhood #COVID19 vaccines in the face of such bile.https://t.co/mJJlvYrxcl

— Senator Brad Hoylman (@bradhoylman) November 16, 2021

In response to the Nov. 14 rally, Dinowitz added, “Mr. Astorino wants you to ignore what you see with your own eyes and what you hear with your own ears by masquerading his anti-vax ideology as anti-mandate. It’s bunk. His position is obviously anti-vaccine, as evidenced by the anti-vaccine signs and statements from the 40-50 people who attended his rally.”

 

The assemblyman concluded saying New Yorkers ought not to be fooled by what he called Astorino’s double-speak. He called on the Republican candidate to condemn, in the strongest terms, the anti-Semitic symbology to which he said Astorino gave a platform at the rally.

 

In a separate tweet on the same day, Dinowitz shared photos of the event along with extracts from his previous official statement on the matter. Many elected officials across the State immediately retweeted the assemblyman’s tweet, adding their own words of disgust as they did so. A random selection of the responses is included here.

 

Bronx Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo (A.D. 84) wrote, “Disgusting & deeply unfair. This is what happens when we normalize vile speech in politics, and allow constant trivialization of the Holocaust. Anti-Semitic words & displays lead to anti-Semitic violence, and it is horrifying that @RobAstorino didn’t shut this down on the spot.”

 

I'll share a glimpse of what I deal with on a daily basis from extremists. It's worse than many messages, but it's not uncommon.

To whoever left this voicemail for me: It'll take a whole lot more than this to intimidate a lifelong Bronxite into backing down. pic.twitter.com/qQQq3gMTed

— Jeffrey Dinowitz (@JeffreyDinowitz) November 16, 2021

 

Bronx Assembly Member Karines Reyes R.N. (A.D. 87) wrote, “Truly repulsive and unacceptable. The actions of @RobAstorino and the protestors displaying these anti-Semitic images are doing this from a place of disinformation, ignorance and hatred. I stand with @JeffreyDinowitz against the divisive rhetoric and imagery!”

 

Also retweeting the assemblyman’s tweet, Manhattan Assemblyman Danny O’Donnell (A.D. 69) wrote, “Truly sorry my friend and colleague, @JeffreyDinowitz, was subjected to hateful anti-semitic displays outside his office this weekend. We cannot turn a blind eye to hate. That includes minimization and false equivalencies to the Holocaust. #NeverAgain.”

 

Queens Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, (A.D. 34) wrote, “This blatant display of anti-semitism is horrible and wrong. It has no place here, or anywhere and can’t be tolerated. Shame on @RobAstorino!”

 

According to the British Library, Jewish people throughout Nazi-occupied Europe were forced to wear a badge in the form of a Yellow Star as a means of identification. The badges were often printed on coarse yellow cloth and were a garish yellow color. The star, which represented the Star of David, was outlined in thick, black lines and the word ‘Jew’ was printed in mock-Hebraic type.

 

British library officials wrote that in the Warsaw ghetto, Jewish people had to wear a white armband with a blue Star of David on their left arm, and in some ghettos, even babies in prams had to wear the armbands or stars. Jewish shops were also marked with a Yellow Star. The star was intended to humiliate Jewish people and to mark them out for segregation and discrimination. The policy also made it easier to identify Jews for deportation to camps.

 

Meanwhile, other elected officials supporting Dinowitz included recently elected Bronx Assemblywoman Yudelka Tapia (A.D. 86), who wrote on Twitter, “This is despicable! I stand with @JeffreyDinowitz,” while Bronx Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie (A.D. 83), wrote, “This is completely unacceptable. Shame on all those who participated in this event. I stand in solidarity with my friend and colleague @JeffreyDinowitz.”

 

Just absolutely infuriating. Get the message: if you commit an act of anti-Semitism in our city you will face the consequences.

If you have any information on this disgusting act, contact the NYPD immediately. https://t.co/LXu987jZFk

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) November 19, 2021

 

State Sen. Anna M. Kaplan who represents parts of Nassau County, wrote, “I’m outraged and disgusted by the use of Nazi symbols by protestors outside of fellow Jewish legislator @JeffreyDinowitz [office]. There’s no room for anti-Semitism in our political discourse & I condemn this behavior in the strongest terms, as should every NYer of conscience.”

 

The day after the rally, Dinowitz wrote that it had been humbling and empowering to see so many kind, outraged, & supportive words from his colleagues in response to the incident. “I’ve never been more proud to be a NYer,” he wrote. “Thank you. I will not be cowed by anti-Semitic hatred. We can disagree on policy, but there must be a respect for our history.”

 

The assemblyman also shared a voicemail he had apparently received from a female caller who voiced her opposition to the vaccination of children against COVID-19, while interspersing her views with a host of expletives, and racist and hateful language, adding that she did not care if the assemblyman knew her number.

 

Dinowitz accompanied the audio recording with the comment, “I’ll share a glimpse of what I deal with on a daily basis from extremists. It’s worse than many messages, but it’s not uncommon. To whoever left this voicemail for me, it’ll take a whole lot more than this to intimidate a lifelong Bronxite into backing down.”

 

On Nov. 16, Gov. Kathy Hochul wrote, “No elected official, no New Yorker, no human being should ever be subjected to hate, including antisemitism. I stand with @JeffreyDinowitz against these cowardly acts – we won’t back down in our fight to protect our Jewish neighbors and condemn hate in all its forms.”

 

On the same day, City Council Member Mark Levine, who represents the 7th District in northern Manhattan, wrote, “This repeated use of Nazi symbols to oppose vaccine mandates is vile and unacceptable… including at this rally held by a GOP candidate for Gov, outside the office of Assm. Jeffrey Dinowitz, an outstanding leader who supports mandates, and happens to be Jewish.”

 

No elected official, no New Yorker, no human being should ever be subjected to hate, including antisemitism. I stand with @JeffreyDinowitz against these cowardly acts — we won’t back down in our fight to protect our Jewish neighbors and condemn hate in all its forms. https://t.co/2jL57ILuEH

— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) November 17, 2021

Assemblyman Pat Burke representing Buffalo, (A.D. 142), added to the words of support for Dinowitz on Nov. 16, saying, “To go in front of a Jewish man’s office, display swastikas, and accuse the Jewish man of being the real Nazi and cast yourself as the real victim is totally perverse. What is wrong with people!? And why was GOP gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino with them!? Twisted.”

 

On Nov. 17, State Sen. Michelle Hinchey, who represents all of Greene and Montgomery Counties and parts of Ulster, Schenectady, and Albany Counties in a mainly rural area, also condemned the event, saying, “The hatred, anti-semitism & lies about global history that are being thrown at @JeffreyDinowitz are nothing short of abhorrent.” She continued, “As someone who’s incredibly proud of their Jewish heritage, these attacks are personal to me. There’s no place for this kind of behavior. We’re with you.”

The repeated use of Nazi symbols to oppose vaccine mandates is vile & unacceptable.

Including at this rally held by a GOP candidate for Gov outside the office of Assm. @JeffreyDinowitz, an outstanding leader who supports mandates and happens to be Jewish. (📷 via @jacobkornbluh) pic.twitter.com/blBH50KRwV

— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) November 16, 2021

 

Also, on Nov. 17, State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34), who has been known to clash with Dinowitz on policy issues, issued a lengthy statement on the incident, saying, “I want to extend my deepest sympathies and acknowledge the pain and fear these acts of hate have caused Assemblymember Jeff Dinowitz, his staff, and the entire Jewish community in Riverdale. Such acts of hate and antisemitism are abhorrent, unacceptable, and have no place in our community. I call on former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who led the protest outside of Assemblymember Dinowitz’s office, to apologize to Assemblymember Dinowitz and to the entire community and take responsibility for engaging and allowing this horrid display to occur.”

 

Biaggi continued, “Instead of immediately halting the protest, Rob Astorino stood by the protestors and remained complicit. No matter your views regarding the COVID-19 vaccine or any political issue, there is no place for antisemitism. Any action fueled by hate is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Riverdale is a community rooted in love and inclusivity, and we will continue to uphold the belief that every person – regardless of their religion, race, gender, or creed – deserves to be treated with respect, and to live free of symbolic or physical threats to their safety. I stand in solidarity with Assemblymember Dinowitz and the entire Jewish community against hate and antisemitism in all forms.”

 

As reported, Biaggi was behind bill S8298B, which was signed into law on Dec. 15, 2020, and 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. Aside from the usual laws governing hate crimes, it is unknown if the street area in front of the assemblyman’s constituency office is covered by this specific law or not. Norwood News posed the question to the NYPD, who responded saying there was no complaint report on file in relation to the incident.

 

Norwood News has reported previously at different times on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Bronxites in general, hesitancy by those who especially oppose the COVID-19 vaccines for children, as well as COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among veterans.

 

On Nov. 19, as reported by several media outlets, Austria became the first European country to announce that it would mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for its entire adult population, and has implemented a new nationwide lockdown, along with a number of other countries amid a fourth pandemic wave. A number of protests have been held in different countries in recent days in response to the latest vaccine and lockdown measures.

To go in front of a Jewish man's office, display swastikas, and accuse the Jewish man of being the real Nazi and cast yourself as the real victim is totally perverse. What is wrong with people!? And why was GOP gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino with them!? Twisted. https://t.co/xdeusM1b4y

— Pat Burke 🦬 🗽 (@PatBurkeNY) November 16, 2021

 

It is not the first time that culturally insensitive rallies have affected the Bronx assemblyman. As previously reported, housing justice activists held a rally outside Dinowitz’s Riverdale home during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah in December 2020.

Although Dinowitz never appeared or addressed the protestors on the night in question, he took to Twitter the following morning, writing, “Having passed more pro-tenant bills than any Bronx assembly member this year, I appreciate your advocacy,” he said. “But, loudly demonstrating in front of my home as my family and many of my neighbors were celebrating the final night of Chanukah [Jewish holiday] is incredibly culturally insensitive.”

 

As also previously reported by Norwood News, a Spuyten Duyvil man was arrested and charged with hate crimes in October 2021 for vandalizing various synagogues in the Northwest Bronx in April of this year.

 

 

Norwood News reached out to the Astorino campaign following the incident at Dinowitz’s office and asked if he equated a COVID-19 vaccine mandate to the murder of millions of Jewish people during the Holocaust. Phil Oliva, spokesperson for Rob Astorino’s campaign, replied, “Rob never saw the sign, and would have removed it had he spotted it. While he strongly opposes COVID vaccine mandates and passports, it doesn’t compare to the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany. Rob believes we can disagree with people without calling them Nazis.”

 

Norwood News asked the Astorino campaign if it had a contact number for the woman in question and if they would be willing to share it with us in order to question her about her actions and views. We received the following response from Astorino’s spokesperson, Phil Oliva.  “We have been unable to ascertain the identity of the woman. Some have suggested she was a plant, but regardless, we would like to know. If she wasn’t a plant, Rob would explain to her why the comparison is wrong and why using those symbols to make political points is wrong and painful to many and shouldn’t be done.”

 

On Friday, Nov. 26, multiple outlets reported that another new, highly transmissible variant of the COVID-19 virus called Omicron or variant B.1.1.529 had been detected in South Africa. In addition to South Africa, suspected cases of the variant have since been identified in Botswana, Hong Kong, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the Czech Republic. U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on the topic on Monday, Nov. 29.

 

Video via YouTube courtesy of NBC News

Norwood News reached out to a number of Bronx-based Jewish centers for comment on the incident outside Dinowitz’s office. We did not receive an immediate response. Riverdale resident, Michael Horowitz, who is Jewish, and who has previously written some opinion pieces for the Norwood News on Jewish-related matters, said of the incident, “The anti-vax people are imbeciles. To equate the mandates with the actions of Nazis is outrageous. Jeffrey Dinowitz and other politicians supporting the mandates should be praised for supporting vaccine mandates, rather than be condemned as Nazis.”

 

He continued, “Parading with swastikas at Jeffrey Dinowitz’s office represents the same..Big Lies that the Nazis used as justification for the perfection of Jews. COVID vaccines need to be mandated as much as possible. All of us need to be protected against the actions of the ant-vaxers. They are exposing all of us to unnecessary risks. If you repeat the same lies often enough, people will start to believe them. In Nazi Germany, the Jews were blamed for Germany’s problems. Today, the anti-vaxers are repeating lie after lie about the vaccines, and even some bright people are starting to believe them.”

 

Editor’s Note: Get the facts regarding the COVID-19 vaccine here.

 

As above, we have been unsuccessful in our attempts to reach the woman who was holding the swastika signs at the rally in order to ask her some questions about her actions and views, and to obtain a direct comment from her. She is free to contact us at smoloney@norwoodnews.org with a contact telephone number, and we can call her back.  

 

To report a hate crime in progress or any emergency, call 911. Non-emergencies should be reported to the local precinct.

 

*According to the NYPD, the hate crime task force statistics referenced above are subject to change as active possible bias cases can be reclassified to non-bias cases, and removed from counted statistics, upon investigation. As a result of a possible bias to non-bias classification, statistical percentages may fluctuate beyond assumed percentage calculations from week-to-week reporting periods.