New York, NY – Amidst a continued rise in hate crimes in New York State and across the country, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic spearheaded a letter to the Governor urging her to increase state funding for the Hate Crimes Grant to $100 million from the current $25 million allocation. The letters garnered support of over three dozen bipartisan legislators from across the state.

“The Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program has been a vital resource for our communities, but the urgency amidst this current wave of hate crimes requires a bolder response,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “We urge the Governor and legislative leaders to recognize the gravity of this issue and increase the current grant allocation to $100 million, sending a powerful message that we stand together against hate, intolerance, and violence.”

“As a community deeply committed to fostering safety, tolerance, and inclusivity, we are compelled to address the alarming rise in hate crimes targeting our Jewish and Muslim neighbors,” said State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. “The violent and hateful rhetoric that has infiltrated our communities threatens the very fabric of our society. It is with this sense of urgency and shared responsibility that I call for an increased allocation to the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant Program.”

“With antisemitism and hate on the rise, many of our institutions - including our synagogues, yeshivas and Jewish day schools - are paying high out of pocket costs for additional security measures to protect our community during this uncertain time. This is an unsustainable and unfair situation,” said Sydney Altfield, Executive Director of Teach NYS, an organization that advocates for government funding and resources for nonpublic schools. “We at Teach NYS applaud Senator Scarcella-Spanton and Assemblymember Rozic, for taking the lead on this important initiative to protect us.”

The legislators circulated the letter among their colleagues to show the widespread support for the urgent security funding request.

Full letter included below.

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The Honorable Kathy Hochul Governor, New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Hochul:

We write to support an increased allocation to the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program (SCAHC) to $100 million.

We are deeply concerned by the rising incidents of violence and hateful rhetoric towards Jewish, Muslim, Sikhs, and Asian members of our communities and across the State. These reprehensible acts have threatened the safety and well-being of children and families. Parents can no longer send their children to school without fear of being targeted because they attend an Islamic faith-based institution. Families cannot attend places of worship without feeling apprehension because they’re Jewish. Community organizations that were once a place of togetherness and asylum are now targets because of their faiths and beliefs.

While the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes program has throughout the years been able to assist our most at-risk nonprofit organizations strengthen their safety measures, it is evident that additional resources are needed to effectively combat hate crimes and improve public safety. Increased funding will enable faith-based non-public schools, day care centers, community and civic centers, places of worship, and other at-risk nonprofit organizations to enhance their security measures during this time of dangerous uncertainty.

We understand the fiscal constraints that the State currently faces but firmly believe that the long-term benefits of investing in the safety and security of our communities far outweigh the short-term budgetary considerations.

We urge you to champion an increase to the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program (SCAHC) to $100 million.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.