Sen. Kaminsky: Hate Has No Place in NY, US

(Rockville Centre, New York) — In the wake of the violent clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, Senator Todd Kaminsky signed on to the Jewish Community Relations Council’s (“JCRC”) communal statement, New Yorkers United Against Hate.

“The hatred and bigotry exhibited Saturday in Charlottesville has no place in our diverse and inclusive society,” said Senator Kaminsky. “It is incumbent upon all leaders to clearly and firmly denounce white supremacy, wherever it rears its ugly head. Indeed, it is astounding to equate white supremacists with those who protest them. Both my grandfathers, who fought against the Nazis, would be looking down on the recent events in this country with disgust.”

The statement reads:

We, the undersigned, are horrified by the brazen public demonstrations of bigotry and hate in Charlottesville, Virginia over the weekend of August 12, 2017. The xenophobic, prejudiced ideology ascribed to by white supremacists, white nationalists, the Ku Klux Klan, and neo-Nazi groups has no place in our society. We unequivocally condemn the deliberate attempt by these groups to instill fear and cause injury and death in acts of domestic terrorism.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families of Heather Heyer, and Virginia State Police Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates. We pray for a speedy and full recovery to all those wounded.

The United States of America was founded on the self-evident truth that “all men are created equal.” Our diverse society celebrates differences and stands in solidarity to oppose bigotry and combat hatred. Americans have proudly defended these values against the forces of evil at home and abroad. Thousands of courageous leaders battled and sacrificed for civil rights and over 400,000 service members gave their lives fighting the Nazis in World War II.  

We will not allow the revival of the racist, anti-Semitic creeds of the past, which aim to tear at the fabric of our embracing society.

We call upon all New Yorkers, including our community leaders and public officials, to speak out forcefully and denounce hate in all of its manifestations.

We will not be cowed ever again by torchlights, whether carried by Klansmen, white supremacists, neo-Nazis or Nazis.

We recommit ourselves to building bridges of understanding and collaboration among New Yorkers of all faiths, races, ethnicities and genders.  

We pledge to work towards purging hate from our society and politics and upholding the fundamental values upon which America was established.