Referred to: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services Committee (Chairwoman Bartels and Legislators Gavaris, Heppner, Roberts and Ronk)

Chairman David B. Donaldson and Legislators Al Bruno, Thomas Corcoran, Peter Criswell, Herbert Litts, III, John Parete, Kevin Roberts and Abe Uchitelle offer the following:

            WHEREAS, an individual’s ability to freely and safely express his/her/their personal, political and religious beliefs is of paramount importance to the members of the Ulster County Legislature; and

WHEREAS, each year, the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Center on Extremism tracks incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and assault in the United States; and

WHEREAS, in 2020, the ADL recorded 2,024 antisemitic incidents in the United States, and, while antisemitic incidents declined by 4 percent after hitting an all-time high in 2019, incidents remained at historically high levels amid the COVID-19 pandemic; and  

WHEREAS, according to new data released by the ADL in April, antisemitic incidents remained at a historically high level across the United States last year, with a total of 2,024 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism reported, making 2020 the third-highest year for reported antisemitic incidents since ADL started tracking such data in 1979; and

WHEREAS, New York continues to lead the nation in terms of total reported antisemitic incidents, including a staggering 57% increase in the number of online incidents; and

WHEREAS, regrettably, Ulster County is not immune to these hateful occurrences; and

WHEREAS, due to recent disturbing events, including threatening “manifestos” sent to a local synagogue and business, and swastika graffiti found at Hasbrouck Park in New Paltz and other locations, the Jewish Federation of Ulster County felt compelled to fast-track the launch of an anti-Semitism Hotline for people to report violence or harassment and receive advice and connections to legal and mediation services; and

WHEREAS, on August 14, 2018 the Ulster County Legislature unanimously adopted Local Law Number 4 of 2018 – A Local Law Establishing An Ulster County Human Rights Law, in recognition of the county’s “responsibility to assure that every individual within the County is afforded certain basic rights and freedoms to which all human beings are entitled, including but not limited to the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression, and equality before the law”; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the members of the Ulster County Legislature reaffirm that responsibility, condemn any and all acts of anti-Semitism, and stand in solidarity with the Jewish Federation of Ulster County and all those affected by hate incidents directed toward the Jewish community; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Legislature supports the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, which states: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individual and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the members of the Ulster County Legislature support the Commissioner of the Ulster County Human Rights Commission, and all those appointed to serve on the Commission, in their ongoing efforts to ardently enforce the Ulster County Human Rights Protection Act pursuant to Chapter 216 of the Code of the County of Ulster; and, be it further

RESLOVED, that the Ulster County Legislature is committed to providing the resources necessary for the Ulster County Human Right Commission to carry out its essential work; and, be it further  

RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be sent to the Jewish Federation of Ulster County and the Commissioner of the Ulster County Human Rights Commission;

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                   NOES:      

Passed Committee: Laws and Rules, Governmental Services ______________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE