NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- New York state launched a Hate and Bias Prevention Unit on Monday as officials look to fight a disturbing rise in antisemitism and other forms of hate.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the new unit during an event on antisemitism at the Lincoln Square Synagogue on the Upper West Side.
According to the governor's office, the unit will be a part of the state’s Division of Human Rights. It will be charged with “leading public education and outreach efforts, serving as an early warning detection system in local communities, and quickly mobilizing to support areas and communities in which a bias incident has occurred.”
Among other efforts, the unit will organize 10 regional councils across the state made up of local stakeholders. The councils will provide a space for communities to voice their concerns, host hate crime prevention events and help file complaints.
The unit will also be responsible for “establishing and implementing a statewide campaign promoting acceptance, inclusion, tolerance and understanding of diversity,” the governor's office said.
“This is a task force that is going to go all over the state of New York,” Hochul said Monday at the Lincoln Square Synagogue.
The unit comes after New York secured $96 million in state and federal funding last month to safeguard nonprofit, community-based organizations at risk of hate crimes and attacks.
Hochul joined Jewish leaders from across the city and suburbs at the Lincoln Square Synagogue to discuss a troubling rise in antisemitism and how to protect Jewish institutions and people.
Also in attendance were Mayor Eric Adams and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who said he felt a special responsibility to the Jewish community as the highest ranking Jewish elected official in U.S. history.
“When antisemitism rears its head and now rises to the horrible levels it has, if we don’t speak out, it can grow deeper and deeper and deeper,” Schumer said.
NYPD statistics released last week showed hate crimes were up 70% in November compared to the same month in 2021. The stunning increase was led by a surge in antisemitic incidents, which rose 125%.
The Anti-Defamation League has said the hate is being fueled on social media.
Two men with plans to attack a synagogue were arrested at Penn Station in November.
Adams vowed to protect Jews and fight antisemitism, saying it’s among the top priorities of his administration as a “dark cloud” of hate hangs over America.
“It has become normalized by politicians and celebrities, amplified by social media and cable news and weaponized by the easy availability of guns in this country,” the mayor said.
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