A public defender in New York County, Victoria Ruiz, has resigned from her job after issuing an apology. She was identified tearing down Israeli hostage posters.
Ruiz, an attorney with the New York County Defender Services, faced public backlash after she was caught on video tearing down posters displaying images of Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. The incident, which occurred amid tensions during the Israel-Hamas war, raised questions about her impartiality and professional conduct in her job.
In a viral video shared on social media by StopAntisemitism, Victoria Ruiz can be seen brazenly tearing down one of many posters displayed across New York City. The posters were intended to raise awareness about missing Israeli children, and the person behind the camera repeatedly questioned her actions. “Why are you taking down pictures of missing children?” he asked.
NYC - New York County public defender Victoria Ruiz caught removing posters of Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) November 5, 2023
It is absolutely unacceptable for someone with such bias and hate to serve in your office @nyc_defenders pic.twitter.com/mOwajkuArt