WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES' STATEMENT CONDEMNING ANTISEMITISM
The Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA) condemns the recent Antisemitic attacks across the nation. We stand with WLALA members and members of our Sister Bars because we are stronger together. We acknowledge that silence is complicity and stand up as allies in speaking out against Antisemitism, hate and racism in all forms.
Over the last several weeks, vandals have struck synagogues and restaurants around the country and throughout the world. In Los Angeles last week, people in a group of cars harassed and physically assaulted patrons sitting outside a restaurant while chanting “Death to Jews.” On May 18, outside of Sushi Fumi restaurant in West Hollywood, a group of people hurled Antisemitic remarks and shouted, “Where are the Jews?” at Persian Jewish diners. Then, the group kicked, punched and threw bottles at several of the diners and reportedly sprayed at least one diner with chemicals, which sent that person to the hospital. Last week, an Orthodox Jewish man was chased through the streets of Hancock Park. Fortunately, the man escaped unharmed. On May 20, a mob assaulted a Jewish man in New York City. In that same week in Brooklyn, a man punched a Hasidic Jew and then tried to torch a building housing a synagogue and yeshiva. On May 23, two people shattered the window of the Persian Hebrew Congregation in Skokie, Illinois. In London last week, passengers in a parade of cars shouted Antisemitic epithets into a megaphone, including a call to “rape” Jewish women. Across the United States and throughout Europe, Jews have suffered random attacks. Antisemitic comments and memes have filled social media sites. Swastikas have been scrawled on synagogues and school walls.
The Anti-Defamation League reported that California alone has seen a 60% increase in known Antisemitic incidents. Between May 7 and May 14, more than 17,000 tweets used variations of the phrase “Hitler was right.” According to this report, this recent rise comes after an already heightened increase of Antisemitic incidents over the past few years. Last year, there were 327 reported incidents at Jewish institutions, including synagogues, schools and community centers, an increase of 40 percent from 234 reported incidents in 2019. The Secure Community Network, an organization that advises Jewish communities in the United States on security matters, reported an 80% spike in Antisemitic incidents over the past month. At least 267 incidents of Antisemitism have been reported over the last 17 days – a near 570% rise.
WLALA cares deeply about this issue. We are outraged and heartbroken at the events that occurred in Los Angeles, New York, Skokie, across our country and internationally. In the fight for an anti-racist and anti-hate world, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and to combat hate, discrimination and injustice in all forms perpetrated against our fellow humans. WLALA invites you to watch the three-part series on Speaking Up Against Antisemitism on which WLALA collaborated with California Women Lawyers, the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee.
Below are some ways in which WLALA will take meaningful action:
1. Speak up and condemn these attacks and Antisemitism, hate and racism;
2. Report Antisemitic-bias or discriminatory incidents to ADL;
We have an obligation to combat hatred and violence in any form. Society does not function for all when so many have to live in fear. Jewish communities are under attack, whether in the form of vandalism, physical violence, or online harassment. WLALA is reminded that Antisemitism is not a thing of the past and recognizes that it must play a role in addressing and responding to the rise in Antisemitic incidents. In light of the recent attacks, it is more important than ever to work together to root out Antisemitism, hatred and racism in all forms. We stand ready, willing and able to address and fight against this hate.
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