“Wherever they appear, expressions of hatred intimidate and impact the entire community,” ADL New York Regional Director Evan Bernstein said on Thursday. “Following an election season in which we have witnessed an unprecedented degree of bigotry and intolerance, acts like this are meant to further divide and intimidate Muslims and other minorities,” “We have been alarmed and concerned about the recent trend of hateful rhetoric and violence directed towards Muslims in New York City and reaffirm our commitment to combatting hate of all forms,” Bernstein said about the NYU incident. “Islamophobic rhetoric and violence have no place in New York. We want the American-Muslim community to know that they are not alone in the struggle against hate.”
“Election 2016 was a long, emotional, and difficult time for our country,” said ADL CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt. “Parents and educators are now looking for ways to help our kids express their sentiments and guide them in internalizing what took place.”