Friday, December 9, 2016

GATHER TOGETHER TO STAND UP AGAINST HATE IN KENSINGTON/WINDSOR TERRACE


UPDATE: People will also gather at the Fort Hamilton Parkway entrance (the entrance near E. 5th Street and Greenwood Playground) at 7:30 a.m.                           
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                          A Gathering to Stand up Against Hate
                            Monday, December 12th, 7:30 a.m.

A commuter spotted Islamophobic graffiti in the Fort Hamilton Parkway F/G subway station this past Monday at about 4:00 p.m. The anti-Muslim slur was written in marker on a wooden bench located on the Manhattan-bound platform. The NYPD is investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Unfortunately, this isn't the first instance of anti-Muslim sentiment in this neighborhood. In October 2010, Masjid Nur Al-Islam Mosque on Church Avenue received a hate letter in the mail.

In February 2012, Islamophobic graffiti was spray-painted on a building housing a Muslim-owned business on Beverley Road. In May, graffiti was written in marker on newspaper boxes on McDonald Avenue.

In November 2013, graffiti was found on a mailbox and on several Muni Meters on E. 2nd Street.

In July 2014, it was spray-painted on two USPS storage boxes on Ocean Parkway. In September, it was spray-painted on two more USPS storage boxes on Ocean Parkway.
Just a month ago, on November 14th, 2016, a man tore a hijab off a woman at the corner of Avenue C and Ocean Parkway. He was arrested and charged with a hate crime.

Let's gather together as neighbors to stand up against hate and make it clear that everyone is welcome in this neighborhood.

Meet at the corner of Prospect Avenue and Reeve Place--the entrance to the Fort Hamilton Parkway subway station--on Monday, December 12th, at 7:30 a.m. Bring signs, if possible, that will assure our neighbors that hate is not welcome here.