Jews were violently mugged Monday morning in three separate incidents that took place on streets in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, CBS New York reported. Photo Credit: Flash 90
NYPD Hate Crimes unit investigating series of assaults on Hasidic Jews in Williamsburg. NY governor: ‘Anti-Semitism is a growing cancer.’
By: Tal Polon
Jews were violently mugged Monday morning in three separate incidents that took place on streets in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, CBS New York reported.
According to the report, three Hasidic Jews between the ages of 56 and 71 were attacked within an hour of each other as they walked to synagogue or work.
The NYPD’s Hate Crimes unit is investigating.
The attackers sneaked up from behind before punching the victims in the face and going through their pockets, police said according to CBS New York. They added that they believe there were three attackers, all of whom were teenage boys.
A community activist cited by CBS New York said that two people had suffered major trauma in the attacks and were still being treated, but are expected to be alright.
The attacks happened within about a block of each other on Wythe Place, Ross Street and Clymer Street between Bedford and Wythe avenues, police said.
Two of the men were taken to Bellevue Hospital and the third refused medical attention, police said. The attackers did not get away with any property, according to the NYPD spokesperson.
“Obviously, might just be a run-of-the-mill mugging with the attempt as a bias crime, knowing that these people – just like myself, I go out of my house at 5:30, and many of them do, because prayer starts at six,” community activist Isaac Abraham said.
“After every crime, if you take a look, that has been committed here, there is a meeting with zero results,” said Abraham.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo released a statement in the wake of the attacks, saying, “I am sickened by Monday’s series of assaults on Hasidic Jews in Williamsburg. In New York, we have absolutely zero tolerance for such heinous acts; they are completely unacceptable and are repugnant to our values of diversity and inclusion.”
“I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to immediately provide the NYPD with any resources needed to assist in the investigation of this incident and to ensure those responsible are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
“Anti-Semitism is a growing cancer that has been injected into the nation’s body but in New York we will continue to stand united and with one voice condemn any and all acts of hatred and intolerance,” Cuomo added.