On the Upper West Side of Manhattan, two women now face hate crime charges after allegedly attacking a 41-year-old Jewish woman who confronted them for tearing down posters related to Israelis kidnapped by Hamas.
Hate Crime Charges Filed Against Two Women in NYC Assault on Jewish Victim Confronting Them Over Vandalizing Hostage Posters, According to Police (Photo: Newsweek)
Mayor Adams Responds to Escalating Antisemitic Incidents
In a recent report published by the New York Post, in November 27, 2023, Mehwish Omer, 26, turned herself in to the police and was charged with assault and criminal mischief, both classified as hate crime charges. The attack, which took place at the corner of Riverside Drive and West 82nd Street on November 9, involved Omer and her alleged accomplice, Stephanie Gonzalez, 25, who had been apprehended a week earlier on charges including hate crime assault and attempted robbery.
The victim suffered minor injuries after the assailants reportedly ripped off her Star of David necklace and knocked her cellphone out of her hand. This assault leading to hate crime charges is emblematic of a growing trend of antisemitic acts targeting posters related to the hostage crisis initiated by Hamas on October 7. Mayor Eric Adams condemned the incidents as a “deeply misguided act of disrespect to victims of terrorism,” emphasizing that hate has no place in New York City.
The victim, who confronted the two women as they tore down the “Missing Persons” posters, recorded the encounter on her cellphone, highlighting the audacity of the suspects. This incident is not isolated, as other hate crime charges cases involve individuals caught vandalizing or tearing down similar posters throughout the city, further emphasizing the need for increased awareness and condemnation of antisemitic actions.
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A Troubling Pattern of Antisemitic Poster Vandalism Emerges
According to the report released by Sky News Australia, the assault on the Upper West Side is part of a larger pattern of antisemitic suspects targeting posters across the five boroughs. Individuals, including an NYU student, a Brooklyn man involved in a caught-on-video scuffle, and a public defender who faced consequences for her actions as hate crime charges, have been implicated in similar incidents.
The escalating nature of these crimes leading to hate crime charges and arrest prompts a reiteration from city officials, emphasizing the imperative of combating hate and intolerance in the diverse landscape of New York City.
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