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Carlucci Calls For Unity As State Opens Hate Crime Text Line

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. – State Sen. David Carlucci is urging all Rockland County residents to unite against anti-Semitic behavior in the wake of a recent incident in New Square.

Ramapo police are investigating anti-Semitic graffiti found in New Square on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Ramapo police are investigating anti-Semitic graffiti found in New Square on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Photo Credit: News 12

The Clarkstown Democrat's pleas come as Ramapo police continue to investigate a Feb. 21 incident during which swastikas and other anti-Semitic graffiti were spray-painted on the exterior fence of a Jewish religious school.

In response, Carlucci has pledged state support as a “potential resource” to combat the criminal acts.

"The diversity of our community is a large part of what makes it so great,” he said in a statement. “As a lifelong resident of this county, I find it appalling that these behaviors have become common place in recent weeks. We must be united and stand together as one community against those who would divide us by our faiths and ethnicities."

Carlucci’s statement comes soon after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced an action plan he hopes will fight anti-Semitism and other hate crimes across the state.

According to Carlucci, the governor’s plan calls for $5,000 rewards for information leading to arrest and conviction for a hate crime and a new hate crimes text line to report incidents.

Anyone who witnesses or experiences a hate crime can now text "HATE" to 81336. Carlucci said that texts will be monitored by state police, who will handle any potential criminal matters.

Additionally, cases of discrimination that are covered by the New York State Human Rights Law may be further investigated by Division of Human Rights under Cuomo's plan, according to Carlucci.

"An attack on one religion or race in our community is an attack against us all,” he said. “We must be proactive in combating hateful acts of discrimination."

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