By: Hellen Zaboulani
On Sunday January 5th, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo spoke at the “No Hate No Fear Solidarity March” in in Manhattan’s Foley Square, in which a total of 25,000 people marched protesting the fearful spike in anti-Semitism. The governor announced the availability of $45 million to protect of New York’s religious-based institutions. He said the funds, which were originally apportioned in 2017 under New York’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program, can be used by private schools, synagogues and cultural centers to prevent hate crimes. The aim is to strengthen security at nonprofits that are vulnerable due to differing beliefs and ideologies.
As reported by Hamodia, NYS Assembly Member Simcha Eichenstein (D), the Hasidic lawmaker from Brooklyn whose district includes Borough Park and parts of Midwood, took to Twitter to divulge that this is not new funding but had already been passed in the last year’s budget. Eichenstein told community members that this is the very same $45 million but the governor is announcing it again. “Fool me once…@NYGovCuomo announced this same funding over and over as if it’s new,” Eichenstein said. “We need additional security funding for schools and houses of worship,” he added.
At Sunday’s NYC rally, Governor Cuomo also announced a new tip line created so New Yorkers can call to report bias or discrimination. That new number is 1-877-NO-HATE-NY. Also, he vowed that New York State Police will continue to provide more patrols and security in popular Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods.
“The recent rash of anti-Semitic and other hate-fueled attacks in New York and across the nation are understandably causing anxiety, but we will not be intimidated,” Governor Cuomo said. “In New York we stand up to those who try to sow division and fear, and this new funding will provide religious and cultural institutions the support they need to help protect themselves and keep people safe. We will not let the cancer of hate and intolerance weaken us — we will continue to stand up and denounce it every time it rears its ugly head.” Other high-profile New York politicians to attend the march included: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D).
The Budget’s New York State Division will continue to provide grants to organizations that apply and are eligible. Up to $50,000 in funding will be awarded per facility for security cameras, additional security training, door-hardening, improved lighting, state-of-the-art technology and other related security upgrades. Organizations that operate at more than one location can submit multiple applications, for a maximum of five applications. As per a statement by the governor’s office, over 500 projects have already been supported by $25 million in state funding since the program’s inception.
