SENATOR BIAGGI ISSUES STATEMENT IN CONDEMNATION OF ANTISEMITIC ACTIONS AGAINST ASSEMBLYMEMBER JEFFREY DINOWITZ

BRONX, NY – On November 14th, an anti-vaccine mandate protest took place outside of the district office of Assemblymember Jeff Dinowitz, where protestors stood with displays of swastikas and yellow Stars of David. Following this incident, the Assemblymember shared a recording of an explicit voicemail with antisemitic rhetoric. 

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester) issued the following statement:

“I want to extend my deepest sympathies and acknowledge the pain and fear these acts of hate have caused Assemblymember Jeff Dinowitz, his staff, and the entire Jewish community in Riverdale. Such acts of hate and antisemitism are abhorrent, unacceptable, and have no place in our community. I call on former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who led the protest outside of Assemblymember Dinowitz’s office, to apologize to Assemblymember Dinowitz and to the entire community and take responsibility for engaging and allowing this horrid display to occur. Instead of immediately halting the protest, Rob Astorino stood by the protestors and remained complicit. No matter your views regarding the COVID-19 vaccine or any political issue, there is no place for antisemitism. Any action fueled by hate is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. 

Riverdale is a community rooted in love and inclusivity, and we will continue to uphold the belief that every person – regardless of their religion, race, gender, or creed – deserves to be treated with respect, and to live free of symbolic or physical threats to their safety. I stand in solidarity with Assemblymember Dinowitz and the entire Jewish community against hate and antisemitism in all forms.”

###