Spike in hate crimes

Air Date: March 3, 2017

Guests: Nancy Baron-Baer, Tarek El-Messidi, Josh Shapiro

Bomb threats, cemetery desecration and swastika graffiti targeting the Jewish community have been increasing recently in Pennsylvania. Nationwide statistics also show this hate-crime epidemic is widespread, with four mosque arsons and 100 bomb threats to Jewish organizations. While law enforcement continues to seek out the perpetrators of these crimes, the affected faiths are trying to pick up the pieces and are working to fight hate. Pennsylvania Attorney General JOSH SHAPIRO joins us to talk about the rise in racist activity, and about President Trump’s eyebrow-raising response to Shapiro’s question about the recent anti-Semitic attacks. Then, we’ll be joined by NANCY BARON-BAER, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, and by TAREK EL-MESSIDI, a local Muslim and founder of Celebrate Mercy who contributed to the cleanup of the vandalized Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia.

Reading list:

“Why Attacks on Jewish Cemeteries Provoke Particular Fear” – Emma Green (The Atlantic)

“Josh Shapiro: Donald Trump told AGs anti-Semitic threats sometimes designed to ‘make others look bad'” – Wallace McKelvey (PennLive)

“Thousands attend ‘Stand Against Hate’ rally against Jewish cemetery vandalism” – Valerie Russ (Philly.com)

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