Governor Kathy Hochul made a stop in Tompkins County Monday morning in response to the series of antisemitic messages threatening violence to Cornell University’s Jewish community that were made over the weekend. The Governor held a roundtable with Jewish students and staff and reiterated their safety is her top priority.
“I want to let them know they are not alone, that they have the state of New York backing them. That’s why we have our State Police here on presence and we will be increasing our security opportunities as well,” said Hochul.
A series of antisemitic messages threatening violence to the Jewish community were found Sunday morning on the campus of Cornell University.
According to President Martha Pollack, the messages specifically named 104 West, which is the home of the Center for Jewish Living on the Ivy League campus, were posted on a website unaffiliated with the University. Pollack said law enforcement was immediately called and is investigating. Saying the University will not tolerate antisemitism,
Pollack added threats of violence are absolutely intolerable, and Cornell will work to ensure that the person or people who posted them are punished to the full extent of the law.
You can read her full statement below:
Dear members of the Cornell community,
Earlier today, a series of horrendous, antisemitic messages threatening violence to our Jewish community and specifically naming 104 West — the home of the Center for Jewish Living — was posted on a website unaffiliated with Cornell. Law enforcement was immediately notified.
At this time, Cornell Police (CUPD) are on the scene and investigating. Police will continue to remain on site to ensure our students and community members are safe.
Cornell Police have also notified the FBI of a potential hate crime.
Threats of violence are absolutely intolerable, and we will work to ensure that the person or people who posted them are punished to the full extent of the law. Our immediate focus is on keeping the community safe; we will continue to prioritize that.
We will not tolerate antisemitism at Cornell. During my time as president, I have repeatedly denounced bigotry and hatred, both on and off our campus. The virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism is real and deeply impacting our Jewish students, faculty and staff, as well as the entire Cornell community. This incident highlights the need to combat the forces that are dividing us and driving us toward hate. This cannot be what defines us at Cornell.
All of our community deserves to feel safe at Cornell. If you become aware of any threats to your safety or to the safety of the community, please contact CUPD at 607-255-1111. We also encourage you to download the RAVE Guardian app, which will enable you to report any safety concerns to CUPD in real-time.
In the days ahead, we will work to reinforce a culture of trust, respect and safety at Cornell. Regardless of your beliefs, backgrounds or perspectives, I urge all of you to come together with the empathy and support for each other that we so greatly need in this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Martha E. Pollack
President
