At least 100 protesters were led Sunday by New York City Council member Inna Vernikov and former state assemblyman Dov Hikind in a demonstration against antisemitism in the wake of an attack on a 21-year-old Jewish man last week because he was wearing an IDF shirt.
On at 12/26/21, at approx 1045 AM, a male, 21, was waiting for a store to open when an individual made anti-Jewish statements and punched him in his face multiple times before fleeing on foot on 86th St towards 4th Ave in Brooklyn. Info? DM us or or ☎️1-800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/Szu8yLkbhy
— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes)
Blake Zavadsky and his friend were asked by the assailant why they were in “his” neighborhood.
Video footage from 12/26/21 anti-Jewish assault. pic.twitter.com/3rP2SJtgzG
— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes)
Zavadsky, who was wearing an IDF sweatshirt while waiting outside a Foot Locker store in Bay Bridge, Brooklyn, was punched twice in the face and had coffee hurled at him after the attacker called them “dirty Jews,” ordering Zavadsky to take off the sweatshirt before hitting him.
? Bay Ridge, Brooklyn – two Jewish men were physically attacked for wearing an IDF sweatshirt, called “dirty Jews”.
The NYPD said Monday the assault is being investigated as a hate crime. pic.twitter.com/grdJiIacUB
— StopAntisemitism.org (@StopAntisemites)
New York City Police said the attack is being investigated as a hate crime.
“This is what we ran from – this is why our families brought us to America – and this is exactly what we’re seeing happening in this country again,” lamented Vernikov, the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants. “These boys’ families escaped the [former Soviet Union] precisely because of incidents such as this one. “Jews were beaten, jailed, and ostracized from society just for being Jewish.”
Vernikov represents parts of southern Brooklyn.
Thank you to all who joined us today to rally against antisemitism. It was especially heartwarming to see such a diverse turnout.
Thank you to Chief Kemper and the for keeping us safe! pic.twitter.com/EEY2cH7uQh
— Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (@InnaVernikov)
"Yet another vicious attack on Jewish New Yorkers for the offense of being Jewish. Antisemitism on the streets of New York City has become commonplace."https://t.co/mREctCy7SV
— Kalman Yeger ונשמרתם מאד לנפשותיכם (@KalmanYeger)
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul slammed the attack, calling it “abhorrent and unacceptable.” She directed the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation.
Yesterday, two Jewish men were verbally & physically attacked in Brooklyn.
This is abhorrent and unacceptable. Antisemitism & all hate has no home in New York.
The Hate Crimes Task Force is assisting in the investigation & we're ready to offer additional support.
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul)
The New York-based Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator.