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Locals gather to fight hate and anti-Semitism

Locals gather to fight hate and anti-Semitism
Olivia Malone

They’re fighting hate with hope and unity.

More than 400 people gathered in front of the headstones and eternal light in Sheepshead Bay’s Holocaust Memorial Park on March 13 to take a stand against anti-Semitism, and all acts of hate against people of any faith and background, local leaders said.

“Here in New York City, we all live side-by-side, and work side-by-side, and we should not tolerate any type of hate against any race or ethnic background,” said Councilman Chaim Deutsch (D–Sheepshead Bay).

The hundreds of residents, army veterans, local pols, and holocaust survivors rallied at the park to say enough is enough, and demand action from authorities in light of recent anti-Semitic events across the city and borough — including one where someone interrupted a faculty meeting at Brooklyn College demanding “Zionism out of Brooklyn College,” and the recent proliferation of graffiti including swastikas in Sheepshead Bay , said Democratic District Leader Ari Kagan.

“We have holocaust survivors, World War II veterans, and Jewish residents who ran from anti-Semitism and never expected to feel unsafe here,” he said.

“It’s reason for concern, and we need to call on city and state authorities to take more immediate measures to fight this trend.”

Reach reporter Julianne Cuba at (718) 260–4577 or by e-mail at jcuba@cnglocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @julcuba.