The recent antisemitic acts in surrounding communities and across the country are a call to action.
Antisemitic incidents are up 48% in Massachusetts this year, a larger increase than the rest of New England and a much larger increase than the country overall. Although these recent incidents took place outside of Malden, we know that anti-Jewish sentiments and actions have no borders. I stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors in Malden and Jewish communities across the country in condemning these hateful and harmful acts.
We have been in touch with our Jewish congregations and leaders in our Jewish community to offer our support and ask what we can do. Working with Police Chief Glenn Cronin, we are increasing safety measures around our Jewish congregations and our annual Hanukkah Celebration. We are also implementing the recommendations from the Two Steps Forward Against Antisemitism summit I attended earlier this year, including recognizing January 27th as International Holocaust Remembrance Day and adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. We will continue to meet with leaders and advocates in our Jewish community to identify other steps we can take as a city to support them.
Government alone cannot stop antisemitism. We need our neighbors to speak out against antisemitism when they see it, whether it is subtle innuendo or overt statements or actions. All of us must demonstrate our support and solidarity to our Jewish neighbors, friends, and family. Malden is a welcoming place not because of the incredible diversity we have in our community, but because we make our community safe and welcoming every day with our words and our actions.
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