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Statement from Reps. Hornstein and Hansen on Recent Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

ST. PAUL, MN – Disturbing acts of anti-Semitism are on the rise across the country.  Most recently in Minnesota, bomb threats have been phoned in to various Jewish Community Centers and today swastikas were found on bathroom stalls in Lakeville South High School.   Representative Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) and Representative Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) released the following statement:

“In recent days we have seen a wave of anti-Semitic incidents including desecrations of grave stones at Jewish cemeteries in St. Louis and Philadelphia and bomb threats targeting Jewish community centers and schools throughout the United States.

“The number and frequency of these incidents are increasing, as the vandalism of the cemetery in Philadelphia occurred over the weekend and an especially large number of Jewish institutions were targeted yesterday.

“Minnesota is not immune from this anti-Semitic outbreak. Over the last two weeks, Jewish community centers in St. Paul and Minneapolis were evacuated due to bomb threats, and yesterday swastikas and racist graffiti were found at Lakeville South High School.

“We strongly condemn these heinous acts which can only be described as viscous hate crimes. We deeply appreciate the support of the Muslim and other faith communities in condemning these acts and raising money to support restoration of the sacred Jewish spaces that were vandalized.

“We call on our colleagues in both parties, government officials and law enforcement to redouble their efforts to apprehend those responsible for these acts and work to prevent hate crimes and violence targeting any group in the our state and nation.”

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