Statement by Senator Brad Hoylman on Hate Crime at Chelsea Dallas BBQ

Hoylman: “This Hate Crime Strikes at the Heart of Chelsea”

NEW YORK - State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) said: “The viciousness of this attack, deemed a hate crime just this morning by the NYPD, shocks the conscience.

“This hate crime has struck at the heart of Chelsea, home to so many members of the LGBT community. This incident is yet another example of the disturbing increase of bias crimes against LGBT people and religious and ethnic minorities across New York. We must employ every tool at our disposal to address the root causes and punish the perpetrators of hate crimes, which have no place in civil society.

“My thoughts are with the survivors, Jonathan and Ethan, who are recovering but rightly distraught, and I thank them for their courage by coming forward.

“I'm grateful that the NYPD is working to ensure the perpetrator is brought swiftly to justice and faces the full weight of the law and I urge anyone with information to step forward. I'll continue to work with my colleagues, including the 10th Precinct, New York City Anti-Violence Project, Council Member Johnson, Congressman Nadler and Assembly Member Gottfried, to determine how we can be helpful to the survivors and law enforcement as the investigation continues.”

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