The swastika scrawled outside the Rego Park Jewish Center (Queens Shmira) and a picture of the synagogue (Google Maps)
Feb. 18, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
A swastika was scrawled on the outside of a Rego Park synagogue Tuesday – one of a number of hate crimes that have taken place across the borough in recent days.
The swastika was discovered at the Rego Park Jewish Center, located at 97-30 Queens Blvd., at around 10:15 a.m., according to police and the volunteer group Queens Shmira.
It was scrawled in black marker across a “public property” sign affixed to steps leading up to the synagogue.
Queens Shmira said it became aware of the crime after a resident called its hotline number. The group then notified the NYPD.
The police are now investigating the act as a bias incident, according to a NYPD spokesperson.
Today our Dispatcher received a hotline call from a community member In regards to a swastika written on a synagogue in Forest Hills. Thanks @NYPD112Pct for the quick response investigating this heinous act of hate. #StopTheHate @NYPDHateCrimes pic.twitter.com/x74r3EpmzP
— Queens Shmira (@QBSPshmira) February 18, 2021
Elected officials condemned the hateful graffiti and noted that it is part of a recent wave of racist activity throughout Queens. Two Asian residents, for instance, were subject to hateful acts in recent days.
There was a video released last week showing a man making vile anti-Asian remarks toward a woman in Astoria. A separate video, taken Tuesday, shows a man shoving a small Asian woman to the pavement in Flushing causing head injuries.
The swastika scrawled on the Rego Park Jewish Center (Queens Shmira)
“These disgusting acts of anti-Asian and anti-Semitic hate were reprehensible, and those who committed them should be held accountable to the fullest extent possible,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said in a statement Thursday.
“Racism and anti-Semitism are never acceptable, especially here in the World’s Borough where we take pride in our great diversity.”
Richards appealed to the public to speak out against such acts of hatred and to show support with residents when they are attacked.
“None of us should ever be made to feel unsafe or unwelcome in our own community,” Richards said.
