March 21, 2017

Leaflets with swastikas found at Virginia Tech Jewish center

Leaflets with hand-drawn swastikas were found this weekend strewn across the lawn of the Chabad Librescu Jewish Student Center at Virginia Tech, officials said Sunday.


Rabbi Zvi Zweibel, the center’s co-director, said he was shocked Saturday afternoon to discover about 100 leaflets scattered in front of the Chabad House, located just off campus on Wall Street.


“It’s something that I never believed would happen in Blacksburg,” he said.



The incident came a day after the center announced it would bring Holocaust survivor Rabbi Nissen Mangel to campus for an event on April 24. The event is meant to honor professor Liviu Librescu, a Holocaust survivor who was killed in the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings when he blocked the door of his classroom so students could escape through windows.

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March 18, 2017

Holocaust survivor confronts resurgence in anti-Semitism

Washington (CNN) — On a frigid morning in Washington, about 200 high school students file into the auditorium at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

On the stage, frail and in a wheelchair, sits 100-year-old Fanny Aizenberg, a Holocaust survivor. She's a featured speaker in the museum's program to have individuals who were persecuted by the Nazis share their stories of seven-plus decades ago, keeping their stories alive as long as long they can, so the world doesn't forget.

Now, anti-Semitism is back in Aizenberg's life. For elderly survivors, it's a struggle to again understand why people hate.

In recent weeks, more than 80 Jewish Community Centers and schools across the country have received bomb threats, including the community center where she lives in a Maryland suburb just outside Washington DC.

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March 18, 2017

America Awakes to Anti-Semitism

A huge spike in anti-Semitism across America is occurring. Jewish community centers in particular are targets of bomb threats and vandalism. For all Americans, this should be deeply worrisome. On March 7, all 100 senators sent a letter to Trump administration officials calling for "swift action" against this surge of Jew-hatred. This is a very welcome development, and the president needs to respond with action.


During his speech to Congress on Feb. 28, Trump finally condemned this outpouring of anti-Semitism, (an outpouring which began when his presidential campaign did). But the president must do much more in both in his language and his actions to denounce anti-Semitism. It is not enough to simply "condemn hate and evil" on the same day that he claims that such anti-Semitism was designed to make him look bad, as he did. Every bomb threat, every cemetery desecration, every slur must be addressed and countered proactively.


Trump needs to use what Teddy Roosevelt famously called the "bully pulpit" to forcefully condemn anti-Semitism, declaring it anathema to this country, in his administration and around the world. Further, as the elected leader of the United States, Trump needs to put forward a plan to address the global uptick in hate speech and hate crimes involving not just anti-Semitism but also Islamophobia and other language and actions directed against any person.

It is imperative that the president order the FBI to investigate and the Justice Department to prosecute every hate crime under our federal laws and to provide resources and support to states to prosecute the same actions under state law. The president has at his disposal the Federal Hate Crime Statute of 1968 and the 2009 Hate Crimes Prevention Act. In fact, the recent attacks on Jewish cemeteries in Kansas City should be investigated and processed under the "damage to religious property" statute of the Church Arson Prevention Act, which "prohibits the intentional defacement, damage or destruction of religious property because of the religious nature of the property."

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March 16, 2017

A Dangerous Rise In Anti-Semitism: The Past Is Present

Daily reports of anti-Semitism in different areas of the U.S. are alarming many in the Jewish community and beyond. Last year, there were 600 hate crimes against Jews on American college campuses and more than 130 such instances, including Swastikas painted on doorways, slurs, and physical assaults, have occurred since the beginning of 2017 less than three months ago.


Many American Jews had become complacent in the feeling that they were living in halcyon times where anti-Semitism was a thing of the past, something they would never have to confront in their own lifetimes. And yet, current events are now eerily reminiscent of a difficult and tragic past that Jews experienced in various parts of the world at different points throughout history. This ugly, age-old phenomenon is sending jolts through a forward-thinking society that prides itself on embracing diversity. The resurgence of anti-Semitism is not an isolated event – racism and intolerance of other groups have also increased.


Why is anti-Semitism rearing its head in the U.S. and what can be done?


Over the last year, as the presidential campaign heated up, the political scene became increasingly polarized. The moderate perspective nearly disappeared as the candidates’ rhetoric attracted voters to the ideology of the far right and far left. The resurgence of anti-Semitism is occurring across the political spectrum. On the far right, anti-Semitism is instigated by hyper-nationalism as it has been for millennia. American exceptionalism has been conflated with anger and fear directed against those who are perceived as different. Even Jews who have been an integral part of American society for centuries have been targeted by a small cadre of agitated “believers.”


On the far left, Jews and Israel are viewed and vilified as privileged and influential elites who wield control over U.S. banking and political systems. For some “progressives”, anyone with power is automatically suspect and corrupt. As politics have become more polarized, so has the media. With the proliferation of online outlets, everyone now has the option of reading only those news sources that espouse their own viewpoint and engaging only with those who speak their own political language. This reduces peaceful discourse and amplifies and exacerbates the national polarization and vitriol against specific groups.

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March 15, 2017

Report: US Anti-Semitism, Hate Crime Up 20% in 2016

THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP!

Hate crimes, most notably attacks against Jews and Muslims, have risen sharply in several Major American cities in 2016, starting with the presidential campaign and continuing since, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino. Previously unpublished data by the university’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism show double-digit increases in hate crimes in New York City, Cincinnati, Chicago, and Columbus, Ohio last year.

There were 1,037 incidents, a 23.3% increase from 2015, in the nine areas the report examined: New York; Washington; Chicago; Philadelphia; Montgomery County, Maryland; Columbus, Ohio; Seattle; Long Beach, California; and Cincinnati. Here are a few striking notes:


New York City saw a rise of 24% in hate crimes, the highest in more than a decade.

New York state had an increase of 20% in hate crimes.

Chicago had a rise of 24% in hate crimes, highest since 2010.

Cincinnati, Ohio, had a phenomenal jump in hate crimes by 38%.

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No real surprises, the only "real" surprise is the "sudden interest" we see from certain segments of society. Of course, there are those who still will find any excuse to change the subject or 'explain away' anti-Semitism, including by redefining it.

March 13, 2017

Poll: 87% of Democrats, 53% of Republicans Say Anti-Semitism A Serious Problem

(JTA) — Seventy percent of American voters see anti-Semitism in the country as a “very” or “somewhat serious” problem, up from 49 percent a month ago, according to a new poll.

The responses differed by party identification, with an overwhelming majority of Democrats, 87 percent, seeing anti-Semitism as a “very” or “somewhat serious” problem, and slightly more than half of Republicans, 53 percent, seeing it as such, according to the poll released Thursday.

The survey was was conducted by Quinnipiac University at the beginning of March.

Jewish institutions, including community centers and Anti-Defamation League offices, have been hit with more than 100 bomb threats so far this year, all of them hoaxes. In the past three weeks, Jewish cemeteries were vandalized in Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Rochester, New York.

Respondents were split on President Donald Trump’s response to the bomb threats and vandalism, with 37 percent approving and 38 percent disapproving. Most Republicans, 71 percent, approved of Trump’s response, while most Democrats, 66 percent, disapproved.

The poll also found that 63 percent of American voters think hatred and prejudice has increased since Trump’s election, while two percent say it has decreased and 32 percent say it has stayed the same.

Read more...

March 7, 2017

Shots fired at Equality Center first act of serious vandalism in 12 years at downtown site, director

Source: Tulsa World


Surveillance video: Shots fired at Tulsa’s Equality Center damage window Not eight hours after damage from a pellet gun was discovered at Tulsa’s Equality Center early Monday, a man came into the lobby yelling profanities and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric at front-desk staff.

At least one person had fired several shots from a pellet gun at the entrance of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center about 12:20 a.m.

Police located 13 pellets that hit the front door and windows of the building at Fourth Street and Kenosha Avenue downtown, police spokesman Leland Ashley said.

Surveillance video shows a white four-door pickup drive west in front of the building. Several shots were fired from the vehicle.

The pellets did not penetrate the reinforced window, said Toby Jenkins, the center’s executive director. An employee discovered the damage later in the morning.


Read more: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/crimewatch/pellets-fired-at-equality-center-first-act-of-serious-vandalism/article_cb2b4ec5-2180-5e99-8f6e-204249723ce6.html

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This is a LGBT center.

February 28, 2017

Here we go again...

THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP!

Well, we are seeing round four of bomb threats, bring in the state total up to 25, literally half of the US have JCC's or synagogues which have been targeted, not to mention the ADL, and , of course, the recent desecrations of cemeteries in Philly and St. Louis. Personally, I am not afraid I am PISSED!

I am pissed at these attacks, I am pissed at the casual (IMO) nature with which these reports are getting, and I am pissed at the enablers of anti-Semitism, including those who use these attacks as a way to attack the "bad" Jews by screeching about "What does Bibi have to say? What does evil, rich Jews of the right have to say? Evil Jewish first-daughter, worships at banks, not synagogues, isn't pulling her weight!" While most of these attacks come from non-Jews, there are those in our tribe who relish showing off their own fangs by either endorsing these thinly-veiled hate distractions or engage in them themselves.

So, nu? How are you feeling?

February 27, 2017

Stop Using Women And Girls To Justify Transphobia

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump’s administration rescinded a guidance allowing transgender students to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity in public schools. While the Obama era guidance clarified that trans students are federally protected from sex discrimination under Title IX, the Trump administration said that it wants to leave LGBTQ rights to the states. Rescinding the guidance opens the door to discrimination against trans students at this level, and sends the message that the government will not stand up for the nation’s most vulnerable kids.

A common claim that opponents of such protections for trans students make is that allowing transgender people into bathrooms endangers cisgender women and girls. In his much discussed appearance on “Real Time,” alt-right former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos told host Bill Maher that he “makes no apologies for protecting women and children from men who are confused about their sexual identity.” This argument perpetuates the myth that trans people are predators, when they are far more likely to face violence and harassment in restrooms at the hands of cis people.

Yet, Yiannopoulos’s line is a common refrain that continues to be used by those who care little about real, not mythical, violence against women. When walking back LGBTQ protections or promoting so-called “bathroom bills,” proponents of such legislation have said that allowing trans people to use the appropriate restroom means men can “enter private areas that are reserved for women and girls,” and that businesses that allow trans people to use the appropriate restroom pose “a danger to wives and daughters.”

But invoking women’s safety while ignoring real violence faced by women and girls on college campuses, on the street and within their own homes is nothing more than a veil for hate. This so-called protection is a justification for transphobia — and as cisgender women, we’re done being your excuse.

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Keep in mind, this was written by a cis-gender woman, not me and definitely read the rest of the article as it too contains some very good points!!

February 23, 2017

Oklahoma Senate panel passes bill protecting discrimination based on behavior, lifestyle or marriage

OKLAHOMA CITY — A Senate panel passed a bill that would protect those who discriminate based on marriage, lifestyle or behavior.

Dubbed the “Oklahoma Right of Conscience Act,” Senate Bill 197 now heads to the Senate floor for consideration. Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, is the author.

Toby Jenkins, executive director of Oklahomans for Equality, said the measure “will give business owners and government employees a free pass to refuse to do business or provide vital services for LGBTQ individuals and groups.”

“If this bill becomes law,” he said, “day-to-day life will become treacherous and dangerous. LGBTQ Oklahomans won’t know where to buy food, where to live or where to seek medical services because a simple trip to the grocery store might have the door slammed in your face.”

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Anti-LGBT bill advances from committee


OKLAHOMA CITY — Advocates for the LGBT community on Monday expressed frustration with the passage of a measure they say would allow for discrimination and the rolling back of protections that some cities have already established.

The Senate Committee on General Government passed Senate Bill 694 by Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, on Monday.

The measure would prohibit local cities and counties from passing ordinances that are stricter than state law in the areas of employment and public accommodation.

Critics of the measure say it would ban cities and counties from passing or enforcing ordinances that protect people from anti-LGBT discrimination.

The measure would strip away nondiscrimination ordinances already in existence in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Norman, said Troy Stevenson, Freedom Oklahoma executive director.

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Our state is in a financial crisis, and this is what these fuckers do with their time. The attack on the GLBT is just ramping up! Guess us gays didn't get out of this mess like some thought.