Queens, New York – Assemblyman David Weprin and Councilman Barry Grodenchik issued the following joint statement in response to hate graffiti found in the rear of a Mosque under construction in Queens Village:

“The anti-Muslim graffiti vandalism that appeared on a construction fence on 237th Street in Bellerose Manor, where a mosque is under construction, is repugnant to this community and deeply disappointing to see in this day and age. Inflammatory words of hate, acts of vandalism, and attacks on the free exercise of faith have absolutely no place in a civilized society and deserve to be condemned. A hate crime against one of us, is a hate crime against all of us, an assault on our inclusive New York Values, and a threat to our identity as Americans. "