'We Will Not Tolerate Hate:' Cuomo Orders NYS Police To Establish Hate Crimes Unit
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- With hate crimes spiking in New York since the election, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is taking action.
As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported Sunday night, Cuomo is calling on New Yorkers to fight for tolerance and justice, and he has ordered the New York State Police to establish a hate crimes unit.
"I am ordering the State Police to put together a special unit to address the explosion of hate crimes in our state," the governor said on Twitter.
Cuomo made the public announcement about the new unit at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.
"The ugly political discourse of the election did not end on Election Day. In many ways, it has gotten worse," Cuomo said. "Well, we are in a whirlwind of hate and division all across this country."
Cuomo on Sunday also sent an open letter to "all students in the State of New York," addressing bias and discrimination incidents at universities around the state.
"Let me be clear: This is the State of New York, not a state of fear. We will not tolerate hate or racism," the governor wrote.
Web Extra: Read Governor Andrew Cuomo's Full Letter
Cuomo cited the state's history as a place where people have come in search of 'freedom and opportunity' pointing out that most who live in the state can 'trace their roots to someplace else.'
"We cherish our diversity. We find strength in our differences. Whether you are gay or straight, Muslim or Christian or Jewish or Buddhist, rich or poor, black or white or Latino or Asian, man or woman, cisgender or transgender, we respect all people in the State of New York," Cuomo said.
The Statue of Liberty is a proud symbol of American values, and she stands in our harbor. We feel a special responsibility to make her offer of refuge and hope a reality every day," the governor wrote.
Cuomo also said New York State is creating an emergency immigrant legal defense fund, giving immigrants easier access to lawyers and legal advice.
In a single week right after a divisive presidential election, 437 incidents of intimidation based on race, religion, gender and orientation nationwide were tallied up by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
At a Sunday Gathering in Brooklyn, hundreds rallied for tolerance packing a park named after Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, who was Jewish and died after a battle with cancer in 2012.
A piece of playground equipment there was defaced with swastikas and go trump.
"Keep your eyes open. Stand up for each other. Don't be afraid to step in and help others, because this is homegrown terrorism for real," Horovitz said.
In New York City, police say hate crimes so far this year are up about 30 percent compared to the same period last year.
The NYPD said there have been 328 hate crimes this year, compared to the 250 the city had on the books this time last year.
As 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reported, NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill said most of the hate crimes in the city this year have been directed at Muslims and Jews.
"I have no scientific evidence as to why, but you've been paying attention to what's been going on in the country in the last year or so, and the rhetoric has increased, and I think that might have something to do with it," O'Neill said.
O'Neill made the remarks on the John Catsimatidis radio program on AM 970.
The statewide battle to curb hate crimes also includes expanding the State's human rights law to protect students from bias and bullying.
The City University of New York commended Cuomo's announcement Sunday, and noted that it has resources available for those who might be vulnerable.
"The Governor's statement is an important message about the values we share as New Yorkers and the state's commitment to all its people," CUNY Chancellor James B. Milliken said in a statement.
CUNY noted that it has a Citizenship Now program where newcomers to the country can obtain free citizenship and naturalization services and English as a second language classes.
The state has launched a hotline to report incidents of bias and discrimination.
