The statement was issued on Monday afternoon following an earlier 1:00 p.m. press conference in Van Cortlandt Park where New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (SD-34) and first-time congressional challenger in the 16th congressional district race, Jamaal Bowman, were joined by North Bronx Racial Justice and local leaders/activists/residents, and demanded a full investigation into the incident.

 

The statement by Cohen, Dinowitz and Engel reads as follows:

 

“We been made aware of disturbing media reports of nooses discovered in Van Cortlandt Park on the eve of Juneteenth. Regardless of whether the rope that was left in the park was intended to be a hateful symbol, we unequivocally denounce hatred and intimidation in all forms.

 

Our beloved park has always been a home for our community to promote love and acceptance, most recently serving as the site of peaceful protests against racial violence. The location where the rope was found is a common gathering site for family parties, and we cannot allow it to be taken over by fear and racism. This incident must be thoroughly investigated and treated with the seriousness that it demands, and our community should remain vigilant against future incidents that sow fear in our neighbors.”

Engel is battling to retain his seat in the 16th congressional district today from Bowman as New York State primaries and special elections take place today, Jun. 23. Engel had been criticized in recent weeks for a hot mic moment caught on Jun. 2 when he attended a press event along with other elected officials following the recent riots and looting which took place on Fordham Road on Jun. 1, in which Engel is overheard, saying, “If I didn’t have a primary, I wouldn’t care”. CNN include the video in this report. Norwood News has reached out to Engel’s office for a comment about this incident.

Norwood News had already contacted NYPD about the Van Cortlandt noose incident last weekend. They said at that time that they had investigated it, saying upon arrival at Van Cortlandt Park last Thursday night Jun. 18, the Commanding Officer from the 50th precinct observed a nylon string that is often used to hang piñatas hanging from a tree branch. Upon further investigation, police said it was determined that there had been a party at the location earlier and that the incident was not deemed to be a hate crime.

Norwood News cited other recent, apparent or potential hate crime incidents which have taken place either in the area or across the City and country, and asked how the NYPD came to such a swift conclusion regarding the Van Cortlandt noose situation. The agency declined to comment further.

Biaggi said of the incident, “Racism and symbols of anti-black violence are not welcome in the Bronx, the State of New York, or this nation”. She continued, “I share in the community’s outrage and concern regarding this horrific display of violence in Van Cortlandt Park, and recognize the fear and trauma this incident has triggered for our Black neighbors.”

Biaggi said the presence of nooses in the community should not be taken lightly, that the country has a devastating history of lynching Black people that persists to this day, and that any symbolism of that violence is a symbol of hate and a threat to the safety of Black residents.

“As we’ve been reminded over the last few weeks, there is a national emergency of cultural and systemic racism in this country,” she said. “Institutional complacency and indifference in the wake of violent displays of racism and white supremacist activity, only roots systems of oppression deeper into the fabric of our society, which will only create more pain and cost more lives.”

Biaggi said the harm that is being done to Black people everywhere needed to be taken seriously, starting with the local community. “The display of nooses in Van Cortlandt Park is a symbol of anti-blackness and a threat to the safety of our neighbors, and must be treated with urgency,” she said.

“I stand with North Bronx Racial Justice in calling for the 50th Precinct to issue a full investigation into the incident, to hold those accountable for their actions, and to take seriously the threat of white supremacy in our community.”

Meanwhile, Jennifer Scarlott, Coordinator, North Bronx Racial Justice, the community organization that organized Monday’s press conference issued the following statement.

“North Bronx Racial Justice is deeply alarmed and angered by the appearance of nooses in Van Cortlandt Park on the eve of Juneteenth. Nooses are a symbol of hate and violence. They are a death threat directed at Black people. We stand against white supremacists in our neighborhoods and everywhere. We call on the NYPD not to hastily sweep this matter under the rug, but to fully investigate the appearance of the nooses, and report to the public.”

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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.