PHRC and state leaders stand in solidarity to oppose antisemitism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Harrisburg, PA- The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), Centre County Advisory Council to the PHRC, state Rep. Dan Frankel, and state Rep. Paul Takac condemn the hateful antisemitic propaganda distributed in State College, Centre County last Saturday.  

“The PHRC is united, with leaders across the commonwealth and the Jewish community, to stand against acts of antisemitism, discrimination, or hate,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “Unfortunately, antisemitism is at its highest levels since the ADL started tracking incidents in 1979. Antisemitism has no place in our commonwealth or our country. PHRC encourages anyone who receives hateful propaganda to report it immediately.” 

“Pennsylvania is rooted in the values of religious freedom and inclusion,” said state Rep. Frankel, Co-chair, Jewish Legislative Caucus. “And yet, hate crimes have increased exponentially over the last decade. We must be vigilant in calling out purveyors of hate who stoke antisemitism and intolerance, as history tells us that their acts will only escalate. So, we must continue to stand together, grounded in our shared values of religious freedom and inclusion. And we must continue to stand against those who attempt to attack others’ humanity and freedoms. There is no haven here for perpetrators of hate, incendiary tropes or hate crimes of any kind.” 

“Over the past two days, I’ve spoken with several of my PA House colleagues and have learned that State College is unfortunately not alone,” said state Rep. Paul Takac, Centre County. “Over the past few months, communities across our commonwealth have endured similar antisemitic attacks, carried out in secret and under cover of darkness. But while the perpetrators sow these seeds of hate and intolerance in the hope of dividing us, those seeds cannot and will not take root so long as we stand together in unity and uphold our shared values. I am proud to stand in solidarity with our Jewish friends and neighbors, and all those targeted simply for being who they are, as we confront and reject these abhorrent attacks and work toward a more inclusive and tolerant future.” 

“There have been two incidents of distribution of antisemitic literature throughout the State College area in the last month,” said Joanne L. Tosti-Vasey, Centre County Advisory Council to the PHRC chair and Michael Radis Centre County Advisory Council to the PHRC vice-chair. “Any targeting of any group or individual is unacceptable anywhere. Our children should not live in fear! Nor should we! As the Centre County Advisory Council officers to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, we are appalled that these types of threatening actions are happening in our home community. This is dangerous, and we, as representatives of this organization and community, demand that people call out these actions as racist and antisemitic. There is no place for this dangerous behavior in our community or anywhere.”  
In a 2022 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, conducted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), there were a total of 114 recorded antisemitic incidents in 2022 in Pennsylvania, that's up 65% from 2021. 

If you are the victim of a hate crime, such as assault or property damage, contact your local police department or the Pennsylvania State Police.  

The PHRC, the state’s leading civil rights enforcement agency, urges anyone who has experienced acts of discrimination or hate to file a complaint with the PHRC by calling 717-787-4410. If you are the victim of violence or if you witness an act of violence, you should call 911 immediately. Pennsylvania has Hate Crime and Ethnic Intimidation laws that protect and support victims. For more information and resources visit www.PHRC.pa.gov.