United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and other community leaders this afternoon to condemn hate crimes, which the state says have spiked since this month’s controversial presidential election.
Leaders of Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations spoke, vowing to carry the message back to their congregations and oppose hate.
Recent incidents include the burning of gay pride flags in Rochester’s North Winton Village neighborhood and the fliers for a white racist website scattered in Pittsford Neighborhoods.
Governor Cuomo has established a State Police Hate Crimes Unit to investigate and advise other law enforcement agencies in handling such incidents.