Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Michael Udine
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution condemning antisemitism and all forms of hatred or bigotry against ethnic, racial, religious, or other minority groups. (Mayor Udine)
body
Why Action is Necessary
Formal Board approval is necessary for the adoption of a Resolution.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the adoption of the Resolution.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
In 2021, the number of antisemitic incidents in the United States reached an all-time high at 2,717 incidents, which was a 34% increase over the prior year. Jews are regularly targeted by purveyors of hate, including because of Jews’ actual or perceived support for the State of Israel and Zionism. Jewish institutions, such as synagogues, Jewish community centers, and Jewish schools, are often targets of antisemitic incidents, including vandalism, harassment, assaults, and deadly violence.
Antisemitic acts of hate and other acts of hate and bigotry against ethnic, racial, religious, or other minority groups are all too common, including vandalism of a Chabad house last year, antisemitic propaganda at the beginning of this year criticizing actions taken by various officials to protect Americans against COVID and identifying those officials as Jewish, and antisemitic graffiti in Broward County public schools earlier this month. Hate crimes are not limited to targeting Jews, and there has been a significant recent increase in hate crimes against Blacks and Black institutions, including bomb threats against historically black colleges and universities earlier this year. Hate crime incidents against Asian Americans increased 339% in 2021, and such incidents against Latinos are also on the rise. The most recent crime that garnered national attention and condemnation was a racist attack against the Black community at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, by a white supremacist who espoused the “replacement theory” conspiracy that Jews, Black individuals, and other minority communities are attempting to replace white people in the United States.
This Resolution, if adopted, condemns antisemitism and all other forms of hatred and bigotry targeting ethnic, racial, religious, or other minority groups.
Source of Additional Information
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.