Police have increased patrolling and security at sensitive places such as houses of worship across the country ahead of the “National Day of Hate”.
Researchers from the Counter Extremism Project, an international non-profit policy organization, said the National Socialist Movement is one of the organizers of the day which has been promoted through social media platforms.
The Anti-Defamation League said in a press release that they have already tracked instances of anti-Semitism across the United States.
These included: “Shooting attacks against Jewish people on the streets of Los Angeles. Anti-Semitic demonstrations in front of a Chabad in Florida. Increased distribution of anti-Semitic propaganda in cities across the country. Neo-Nazi protesters in New York City Disgusting antisemitism spread. And conspiracy theories abound in the off-Broadway revival of Parade, the play that tells the story of Leo Frank’s false conviction and lynching.”
While police have not identified any specific threats, law enforcement has increased their presence in communities in several states, including Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, and New Hampshire.
The Brookline Police Department in Massachusetts tweeted on Friday: “Advice: An Iowa-based anti-Semitic group has called on its supporters to ‘shock the public with banners, fliers and graffiti’.” We have increased patrols around local religious institutions, especially temples, and synagogues and we will not tolerate hate crimes!”
According to a CBS News report, the New York Police Department said there was no specific threat to New York City, but asked the public to be vigilant.
The NYPD said: “Although no threat has been identified to New York City, out of an abundance of caution, the department will deploy additional resources to sensitive locations, including places of worship, throughout the week. We urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant.” ” , and if you see anything suspicious, please call 1-888–NYC-SAFE.”
According to a report by NBC New York, police in Lakewood, New Jersey said there was “no reliable information indicating these threats will affect New Jersey”.
State officials said they would increase the number of on-duty officers in marked and unmarked vehicles to keep people safe.
In Florida, the Department of Law Enforcement released a statement regarding its plans to increase police presence.
“In response to recent harassment against Florida’s Jewish and faith-based communities by hate groups, and coordinated efforts by ‘National Day of Hate,’ the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Fusion Center of Florida have launched a statewide bulletin. And is actively coordinating and increasing law enforcement presence to ensure that any individual or group threatening criminal harassment or violence against Florida’s faith-based community is apprehended. will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the FDLE said, adding that there are currently no known threats or plans for protests in Florida.
Jewish leaders have meanwhile told people to continue going about their lives and attend their places of worship as usual.
The American Jewish Committee said in a statement: “We will not be intimidated. We are resilient. We are strong.”