BK Lawmakers Denounce Tree of Life Synagogue Massacre
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) and Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Midwood) alongside Public Advocate Leitia James (D) denounced last week’s deadly attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh.
On the morning of Saturday, October 27th, Robert D. Bowers stormed into the Tree of Life synagogue where worshippers had gathered for three separate Saturday services and shot at attendees indiscriminately, killing 11 Jewish congregants and wounding four police officers and two others.
Following the shooting spree, Bowers was confronted with police as he made his way out of the synagogue, at which time there was an exchange of gunfire, with Bowers returning inside the synagogue and barricading himself inside a third-floor room. The attacker, who was armed with an AR-15 style assault rifle, a Glock, and two other handguns, eventually surrendered to authorities. The massacre is considered one of the worst attacks on the Jewish community in American history.
The attack comes in the wake of an alarming rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States; in 2017, such incidents surged 57 percent according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), representing the largest annual increase since the ADL began tracking such incidents nearly four decades ago.
“Like so many others, I came online after Shabbos to the terrible news of a deadly anti-Semitic attack this morning in Pennsylvania. Today I went to shul with my family to pray & tomorrow I’ll do the same. But 11 of my brethren won’t have that opportunity ever again. I’m deeply, deeply saddened at this horrific loss,” said Deutsch.
“We cannot ignore the motivations of this attacker, or many others who have committed or supported acts of hate. We cannot allow it to be shielded or excused, but rather to shine a light on those who practice hate, and their apologists. We actively reject that violence and agenda as we stand with those grieving today. Thoughts and prayers, while welcome, are not enough to prevent future tragedy- action is needed to address the roots of this violence,” said Williams.
“This attack is devastating. New York is heartbroken for our neighbors in Pittsburgh — and our prayers go out to the victims, their families, the first responders, and the entire Tree of Life community. Places of worship are sacred spaces where people come together, and they should never be the site of hatred and horror like this. This tragedy is the intersection of two crises facing our country: easy access to tools of death and unbridled hate. We must stand up to bigotry — and we must take on the gun manufacturers who enable these deadly rampages. Our nation is weeping today,” said James.
Golden To Announce Major Funding For Local Park Projects
State Senator Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend, Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park, Midwood) will announce today capital funding he has secured for two local parks.
On Monday, Golden will announce a series of plans for improving and updating Shore Road Park and Marine Park as part of funding secured through the New York State legislature.
The Shore Road announcement is slated for 12-noon, at the corner of 99th Street and Shore Road.
The Marine Park announcement is slated for 2 p.m., at the playground in Marine Park, at the entrance of Madison and Fillmore Avenues.
Espinal Rallies Support For Animal-Friendly Business Bill
City Council member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York) will call on the NYC Council to pass Introduction 886, legislation to allow pet harbors on sidewalks in front of commercial establishments.
The pet-friendly bill will clear the regulatory obstacles to installing a comfortable, climate-controlled dog house outside of some local stores and shops, helping businesses and pet-lovers alike.
Though greatly desired by small businesses, dog owners and animal advocates, pet harbors are structures not explicitly accounted for in NYC’s Department of Transportation (DOT) sidewalk regulations.
The lack of clarity around these regulations have stymied innovative technology-based solutions to a common problem facing over half a million dog owners in New York City, and are costing many small businesses customers, according to Espinal’s office.
The bill could correct this legislative shortcoming by ensuring that City regulations reflect modern day technological innovation, helping dog owners better balance life in the city with an animal companion and supporting small businesses that want to provide a needed service to prospective customers.
The event is slated for 9:45 a.m., today, Oct. 29, at the Steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
AM Williams Celebrates Students’ Completion of 2018 Summer Reading Challenge
Assembly member Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) last week awarded more than 120 students certificates of achievement for their successful completion of the 2018 Assembly Summer Reading Challenge.
The annual event encourages children to read over their Summer breaks helping students to grow in their love for books and learning. Participants are then presented with a certificate once they have successfully read on their own for 40 day or more.
“It is a privilege to recognize the dedication towards education of these extraordinary
young individuals, a wonderful and auspicious sign that the youth of today will assuredly
be our future leaders,” said Williams.
