Hate Speech Has No Place at NYCHA
As of mid-December, the Southern Poverty Law Center had tracked 1,100 hate crimes since the November 2016 election. Though the frequency has dropped since then, that number is five times the number of hate crimes that followed President Obama’s election. The number of recognized hate groups has also risen since the election. The Law Center believes that hate crimes will again escalate following Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has stated that New York City has a “special obligation” to set an example for the rest of the country when it comes to tolerating and embracing differences: “We have a chance to show the people of our nation a way forward. There’s eight and a half million of us. We have a thriving economy, so much opportunity. We don’t live in perfect harmony, but we’ve learned how to live and let live.”
Several NYCHA buildings were recently defaced with derogatory symbols. The Housing Authority stands united with employees, residents, and other New Yorkers in saying that these acts of hate have no place in our community. These incidents are being aggressively investigated by the NYPD with the full and complete support of NYCHA. Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to contact the NYPD at 1-800-577-TIPS.
If you or someone you know is the victim of a hate crime, contact 911 immediately. If you have questions about hate crimes, contact the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force at 646-610-5267 and the District Attorney’s Hate Crime Hotline at 212-335-3100.
