FIGHTING AGAINST HATE AND BIGOTRY
In January 2022, an extremist held four innocent people at gunpoint at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, as they prayed together during sabbath services. While the standoff thankfully ended without casualties, Colleyville remains a tragic reminder of the increased threats against houses of worship across the country. On that day, houses of worship like Congregation Beth Israel had just begun to host in-person services at pre-pandemic levels. Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker welcomed a stranger in from the cold that morning, only to be held at gunpoint and taken hostage with three other worshippers. Unfortunately, the pandemic of antisemitism was once again threatening the lives of peaceful worshippers at a synagogue. Lasting for a total of 11 hours, the hostage crisis ended on live TV when Rabbi Cytron-Walker and the remaining hostages sprinted to safety. Despite the immediate relief we all felt at that moment, incidents of antisemitism continue to grow.
Over the last year, hate incidents reported to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Connecticut increased from 161 incidents in 2021 to 361 incidents in 2022. ADL Connecticut has responded to each of these incidents, providing support for victims, education for communities, and by working with law enforcement. Most incidents reported to ADL involve the distribution of white supremacist propaganda, vandalism, or hate in schools or they involve issues of discrimination or religious accommodation. The tactic of flyering, in particular, is a growing way to spread hate and recruit new members. Sadly, in early January, Newington experienced the first reported flyer incident of the year.
Though Rabbi Cytron-Walker would later credit ADL and law enforcement for the tactical training that helped saved his life and the
lives of others held captive, training may not be enough to stop future attacks. In a country like the United States, where religious freedom is a cornerstone of our democracy, defense training for the clergy cannot be our only option in the fight against violent extremism. We need to combat the rhetoric of hate and bigotry that pushes people to extremes and leads to grave consequences for not only Jews but for people of all minority faiths and backgrounds.
Thanks to the overwhelming support received from so many during the hostage crisis, Colleyville also reminds us that we have many more allies than enemies in the fight against hate. In its aftermath, ADL Connecticut has worked with law enforcement to better identify threats of hate and extremism in our communities. More schools and organizations are utilizing ADL programs to combat antisemitism, bias, discrimination and bullying in the workplace, in K-12 schools and on college campuses.
As of Jan. 1, Connecticut law requires that all hate crimes be reported to Connecticut’s new Hate Crimes Unit. This will enable better data collection and a more centralized response. Also, Connecticut is one of only a handful of states that has criminalized and provided a civil remedy for doxing, and the state has since established and funded a new grant program that prioritizes combating cyberhate and online abuse across the state. This program will allow school districts, non-profits, government agencies and others to secure muchneeded funding in order to provide education and training regarding emerging threats online — including in the form of swatting, doxing, cyber-harassment and cyberstalking. This is critically important at a time when online hate and harassment, including in Connecticut, have reached extremely concerning levels.
These examples give us hope that
Colleyville could one day be seen as a defining moment in the eradication of antisemitism, racism, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim bias, and other forms of bigotry. This new reality will require brave and difficult conversations in our schools, workplaces and public forums. It will require a focus on the future to preserve, protect and build on our shared values of freedom, diversity, and just and fair treatment for all.