Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | News | Antisemitic Incidents Jumped 54% in RI in 2021, According to New Report
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
MAP: ADL, RI instances in 2021
Antisemitic incidents elevated by 42% in the New England Area (masking Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) in 2021, with a complete of 155 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism reported to ADL (the Anti-Defamation League). The rise in antisemitic incidents within the area outpaced the 34 p.c improve in such incidents nationally. Nationally, ADL recorded 2,717 antisemitic incidents in 2021, the best complete since ADL began monitoring such knowledge in 1979.
ADL’s annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, issued right now, recorded a complete of 108 antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts final yr, a 48% improve from 2020 incidents (73). Incidents of vandalism elevated by 66 p.c (58 incidents in 2021, in comparison with 35 in 2020). Incidents of harassment elevated by 26 % (48 incidents in 2021, in comparison with 38 in 2021). Massachusetts additionally recorded two assaults; no assaults have been recorded in 2020.
Rhode Island’s complete instances have been decrease, however the share improve was increased. Circumstances in RI jumped from 11 in 2020 to 17 in 2021 — a 54% improve.
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Antisemitic incidents stay at a historic excessive within the state. All through the opposite states in ADL’s New England area, 15 in Vermont (up from 8 in 2020), 7 in New Hampshire (down from 9 in 2020), and 6 in Maine (down from 7 in 2020).
The vast majority of 2021 antisemitic incidents reported to ADL New England have been incidents of harassment (78), adopted by incidents of vandalism (75). Vandalism and harassment incidents throughout the area elevated by 42 % and 39 %, respectively.
“The alarming improve in antisemitic incidents within the area and throughout the nation needs to be deeply regarding to all,” stated Robert Trestan ADL New England Regional Director. “The numbers elevated in almost each class, together with harassment and vandalism. The message that the information is sending is crystal clear: antisemitism stays a pervasive in poor health in our society that have to be stemmed, or else we danger normalizing this hatred. ADL is steadfast in our dedication to disrupting and exposing antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head and urge all to hitch us on this battle.”
Massachusetts recorded the seventh-highest variety of incidents per state within the nation (108), following New York (416), New Jersey (370), California (367), Florida (190), Michigan (112), and Texas (112).
Nationwide Findings
In 2021, ADL counted a complete of 2,717 antisemitic incidents throughout the U.S. This represents a 34% improve from the two,026 incidents recorded in 2020 and is the best quantity on file since ADL started monitoring antisemitic incidents in 1979 – a median of greater than seven incidents per day and a 34% improve yr over yr. Incidents have been reported in all 50 states.
Assault: A complete of 88 incidents have been categorized as assault, outlined as instances the place Jewish folks (or folks perceived to be Jewish) have been focused with bodily violence accompanied by proof of antisemitic animus. Antisemitic assaults elevated 167 p.c from the 33 reported in 2020. Eleven of the assaults in 2021 have been perpetrated with lethal weapons. The 88 incidents of assault included 131 victims. Thankfully, no fatalities linked to antisemitic assaults have been reported in 2021.
Harassment: Of the full, 1,776 incidents have been categorized as harassment, outlined as instances the place a number of Jewish folks (or folks perceived to be Jewish) have been harassed with antisemitic slurs, stereotypes or conspiracy theories. Acts of harassment elevated 43 p.c, up from 1,242 in 2020.
Vandalism: One other 853 incidents have been categorized as vandalism, outlined as instances the place property was broken together with proof of antisemitic intent. Acts of antisemitic vandalism elevated 14 p.c from 751 in 2020. Swastikas, that are usually interpreted as symbols of antisemitic hatred, have been current in additional than two-thirds (578) of those incidents.
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In 2021, there have been 525 reported incidents at Jewish establishments equivalent to synagogues, Jewish group facilities and Jewish faculties, a rise of 61% from 327 in 2020. Of the full, 413 have been incidents of harassment, 101 have been incidents of vandalism and 11 have been assaults. About one-quarter of the harassment incidents (111) have been linked to anti-Zionist or anti-Israel sentiments.
ADL’s Audit recorded 484 antisemitic incidents attributed to identified extremist teams or people impressed by extremist ideology. This represents 18% of the full variety of incidents. White supremacist teams have been answerable for 422 antisemitic propaganda distributions, a 41 p.c improve.
A complete of 345 antisemitic incidents in 2021 concerned references to Israel or Zionism, in comparison with 178 in 2020. Of these, 68 appeared within the type of white supremacist propaganda efforts, which try to foment anti-Israel and antisemitic beliefs.
Underreporting
The deeply regarding improve in antisemitic incidents final yr — which relies on reported incidents — continues to be nearly definitely a major undercount. Underreporting continues to be a problem in lots of communities, as victims of bias crimes and antisemitic incidents face vital limitations to reporting. For instance, a 2021 survey of faculty college students performed by ADL and Hillel Worldwide discovered that three-quarters of respondents who skilled antisemitism didn’t report it to anybody. We urge the general public to be vigilant in reporting incidents to ADL, regulation enforcement and civilian businesses across the state.
On the identical time, we all know that there’s vital underreporting of hate crimes to the FBI, significantly the place reporting stays voluntary by regulation enforcement businesses. ADL continues to work with elected officers, regulation enforcement leaders and group members throughout New England to sort out these issues head-on.
Methodology
The ADL Audit contains each felony and non-criminal acts of harassment and intimidation, together with distribution of hate propaganda, threats and slurs, in addition to vandalism and assault. Compiled utilizing info supplied by victims, regulation enforcement and group leaders, and evaluated by ADL’s skilled employees, the Audit offers a daily snapshot of 1 particular facet of a nationwide downside whereas figuring out doable tendencies or adjustments within the forms of exercise reported. This info assists ADL in growing and enhancing its applications to counter and forestall the unfold of antisemitism and different types of bigotry.
The Audit affords a snapshot of one of many methods American Jews encounter antisemitism, however a full understanding of antisemitism within the U.S. requires different types of evaluation as effectively, together with public opinion polling, assessments of on-line antisemitism and examinations of extremist exercise, all of which ADL affords in different reviews, equivalent to ADL International 100, On-line Hate and Harassment: The American Expertise, Survey on Jewish People’ Experiences with Antisemitism, Homicide and Extremism, and the ADL Survey of American Attitudes Towards Jews.
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