You are reading

Meng Speaks Out Against Anti-Semitism Following COVID-19 Outbreaks

Congresswoman Grace Meng (Office of Congresswoman Grace Meng)

Oct. 9, 2020 By Allie Griffin

U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng is concerned that the Jewish community will be targeted by bigots following the outbreak of COVID-19 in a number of ultra-orthodox neighborhoods across the city.

Meng — who has herself been subject to anti-Asian vitriol related to the coronavirus outbreak — said leaders must prevent hatred from spreading to the Jewish community in Queens.

“I’ve experienced how one community can be singled out and unjustly blamed for COVID-19,” she said in a statement. “Bigotry and violence have been directed toward the Asian American community, and we need to prevent that hate from continuing to spread toward my constituents in the Jewish community in Queens.”

She said no one group should be blamed for COVID-19 transmission.

“My constituents in the Jewish community, and many throughout our region, are doing their utmost to follow the rules to keep our city safe,” Meng continued. “The actions of those not following the rules, amplified by news reports, should not be conflated with the actions of the many who are following the rules.”

She condemned the recent violence and violation of public health guidelines at protests in Borough Park over the last few nights. A reporter was brutally attacked by a mob of protesters on Wednesday night and two other people were assaulted by protesters the night before in the same neighborhood, according to news reports.

Still Meng said the acts of a few bad actors in the community do not represent the community as a whole.

“There should never be blanket discrimination against the entire Jewish population of New York,” she said.

Meng said the health standards must be consistent across the city.

Everyone must adhere to the rules: no mass indoor gatherings, no large groups inside houses of worship, wear masks, practice social distancing, and encourage testing in our communities,” the Congresswoman said. “If we all follow these guidelines, we will get through this together and keep our city safe.”

A number of Queens officials are concerned about bigotry, with several saying that the Jewish community is being scapegoated for the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases.

email the author: [email protected]

One Comment

Click for Comments 
George

If her “constituents” followed the laws and stopped acting like they are above it then these restrictions wouldn’t be taken against them. I have personally seen hasidic men, women and children walking around no masks, no social distancing but when outbreaks occur in their neighborhoods and strict enforcement occurs they cry racism its like the measles outbreak before where they thought they were above the law.

Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Maspeth man charged with manslaughter in hit-and-run death of 3-year-old Flushing boy: DA

A Maspeth man was criminally charged with manslaughter in the death of a 3-year-old boy in Flushing last week, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Ton Dec. 7.

Kevin Gomez, 20, of 60th Road, is accused of hitting the child with his car and dragging him approximately 10 feet before driving away. Gomez is charged on a 14-count indictment for manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault and other crimes.

“New York’s Funniest Stand-Up” with Matt Koff

Dec. 6, 2023 by Jill Carvajal

The “New York’s Funniest Stand-Up” competition recently celebrated its 15th year as part of the annual New York Comedy Festival both founded by Caroline Hirsch of Caroline’s on Broadway. New York’s Funniest and previous winners have gone on to become some of the biggest names in comedy.

CB 7 votes to approve phase two of development plan that would bring NYCFC soccer stadium, affordable housing to Willets Point

Community Board 7 (CB 7) on Dec. 4 voted overwhelmingly to approve phase two of the Willets Point Revitalization Plan that will bring 2,500 units of 100% affordable housing — the city’s biggest affordable housing community since the 1980s — a 650-seat public elementary school, a 250-room hotel and a 25,000 soccer stadium as the new home for the New York City Football Club, on what was known as the Iron Triangle across Tom Seaver Way from Citi Field.