LETTER TO THE GAZETTE---JESSICA DIECKMAN--ON CROTON'S DEI COMMITEE & ANTI-SEMITISM

Welcome to The New Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short Everything Croton.

To the Editor,

I am writing to promote that the Village of Croton On Hudson’s DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) committee make a public statement denouncing the wide-spread and fast-growing antisemitism we are seeing in our state and across the country. I am appalled to read about college students harassing Jewish students verbally and physically on several major campuses. Student protestors for Palestine and the terrorist group Hamas at The Cooper Union forced Jewish students to lock themselves in a library as the student protestors chanted outside, trying to break in the doors. How terrifying this must have been for the Jewish students inside. Recently a student at Cornell University, now under arrest, threatened a mass shooting of Jewish students.

The hatred towards the Jewish victims of the 10/7 terrorist attacks in Israel is strong and on full display: the news shares video of students ripping down and destroying pictures of those taken as hostages during the 10/7 terrorist attack.

I was also highly disturbed to see the entire Town of New Castle’s DEI committee willingly resign because they refused to denounce antisemitism. Those people never really belonged on the committee in the first place if they can’t denounce that!

A statement made by our village should also include denouncing Hamas as well. I’m deeply disturbed to see and hear people openly supporting this terrorist group and the actions taken to kill Jewish people. Hamas also kills and terrorizes Palestinian people too regularly.

I very much appreciate Governor Kathy Hochul taking a strong stance against any antisemitism, hate, and Hamas while pledging full support for Israel.

 I sincerely hope our village also issues such a statement condemning these hateful actions and the growing antisemitism this country is experiencing.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Jessica Dieckman