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In a shocking display of antisemitic hate, “Wanted” posters targeting Jewish faculty and staff at the University of Rochester were plastered across campus earlier this month.
The posters, accusing individuals of heinous acts such as “ethnic cleansing” and “racism,” were designed to intimidate and sow fear.
Among those targeted were leaders of the Jewish campus community, including the Hillel director.
Vile. The mob has plastered the University of Rochester with wanted posters of Jewish faculty and staff. pic.twitter.com/HfbIH6c0pq
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) November 12, 2024
This vile campaign, carried out by four students now under arrest, sent shockwaves through the university. While the perpetrators face up to seven years in prison on charges of felony criminal mischief, the crime’s antisemitic nature has yet to be formally recognized. These actions targeted Jewish individuals specifically, making this an undeniable hate crime.
Despite these strong words, the lack of hate crime charges sends the wrong message—that targeting Jews can be minimized or overlooked.
Allowing this incident to go unprosecuted as a hate crime would embolden future acts of hate and undermine the university’s claim to be a safe and inclusive space for all.
We must act now to demand that Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley upgrade the charges against these individuals to hate crimes.
CLICK HERE to email the district attorney at districtattorney@monroecounty.gov
SAMPLE EMAIL
Subject Line: Demand Hate Crime Charges for Antisemitic Posters at University of Rochester
Dear District Attorney Doorley,
I am writing to urge your office to pursue hate crime charges against Samantha Escobar, Jonathan Bermudez, Naomi Gutierrez, and Jefferson Turcios, who were arrested for plastering “Wanted” posters targeting Jewish faculty and staff at the University of Rochester.
This was not merely an act of vandalism but a calculated attempt to intimidate Jewish individuals, spreading fear and hate. The actions blatantly targeted people based on their religion, a clear violation of New York’s hate crime statutes.
Failure to prosecute this as a hate crime sets a dangerous precedent, signaling that antisemitism will not be treated with the seriousness it demands. I implore you to act decisively and send a strong message that hate has no place in our community.
Sincerely,
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