Connecticut
Connecticut antisemitic incidents spiked in 2021, report shows
Connecticut noticed an increase in studies of antisemitic incidents final yr, based on a brand new report from the Anti-Defamation League.
There have been 34 reported incidents in Connecticut in 2021, a 42 p.c soar from the 24 incidents recorded in 2020, the information reveals. Greater than half of those incidents — 18 — have been harassment, whereas the rest have been thought-about vandalism, the report said. There have been no assaults recorded in 2021, the ADL stated.
Experiences of antisemitic incidents reached an all-time excessive nationwide final yr. Some 2,717 incidents have been reported in the USA in 2021, or about seven incidents every day.
ADL Connecticut Regional Director Stacey Sobel stated the information reveals that antisemitism stays a severe concern not solely in the USA, but additionally in Connecticut.
“From white supremacist propaganda within the public sq. and on school campuses, to bomb threats towards JCCs [Jewish community centers], antisemitism reared its ugly head in each side of our society final yr,” Sobel stated in a press release.
One in every of these included a bomb risk that was known as into the Jewish Neighborhood Heart of Larger New Haven in June 2021. A staffer on the middle obtained a name from an individual who made antisemitic feedback and the risk, officers stated.
Greater than 300 campers and employees needed to evacuate the constructing whereas the FBI and state police investigated. The constructing was closed for the day.
One other considered one of these 34 studies included a “Zoombombing” incident throughout a university readiness assembly in Stamford in early 2021. Throughout the name, a person joined and wrote “loss of life to Jews” and yelled the n-word, ADL Connecticut stated.
The group stated 18 Connecticut municipalities had a minimum of one antisemitic incident in 2021. These incidents included faculties, vandalism of Jewish establishments and white supremacist propaganda.
ADL Connecticut stated the nation noticed a surge in these incidents concentrating on Jewish communities after Might 10, 2021 when combating broke out between Israel and Hamas. For 11 days, greater than 4,300 rockets and missiles have been fired from Gaza towards Israeli civilian facilities, based on the ADL.
This impacted Connecticut as effectively. The state’s ADL recorded a spike in antisemitic incidents in the course of the month of Might, most of which befell on school campuses.
Prior to now 5 years, ADL Connecticut has obtained 184 studies of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assault — “a outstanding determine that we hope will function a stark reminder of the exhausting work nonetheless forward to sort out all types of hate and antisemitism right here in our state,” Sobel added.
Although there was a soar in 2021, the state had seen extra incidents in earlier years. In 2018, Connecticut had 39 reported incidents — 19 harassment, 19 vandalism and one reported assault. The subsequent yr, it had 37 studies — 21 of harassment and 16 of vandalism.
In 2017, Connecticut noticed 49 reported antisemitic incidents. Some 29 of those have been thought-about harassment and 20 have been vandalism, the ADL stated.
When you’ve got skilled or witnessed an incident of antisemitism, extremism, bias, bigotry or hate, go to ADL.org/ReportIncident. In an emergency, name 911.