Over 100 demonstrators marched in the streets of Brooklyn to protest recent violence in Midwood, a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, where three cars were torched and a fourth was damaged and covered with spray-painted swastikas and the letters KKK. The vandals also spray-painted swastikas on park benches and other hate-filled antisemitic messages on sidewalks and parking lots in Flatbush.
"I've never seen this level of violence here," said New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind. "This goes beyond the pale — blowing up cars in the middle of the Jewish community."
Participants in the march down Ocean Parkway included State Senator Eric Adams, attorneys, citizens rights advocates and other community leaders.
"What took place here on Friday is a sick and despicable act of prejudice that struck in the heart of the city," said one participant.
On Sunday police arrested a 40-year-old Queens resident named Franco Rodriguez after surveillance cameras connected him to the incident. During a brief interrogation he admitted to the crimes attributed to him, but expressed no remorse. Police are hoping the arrest will lead to the arrest of the other individuals involved in the crime.
On Shabbos night a Williamsburg resident was attacked by a group of three antisemites while walking home from shul. He was knocked unconscious and hospitalized in serious condition.
