Several elected city and state officials expressed solidarity with the #NotAgainSU protesters following a series of hate crimes and bias-related incidents at or near Syracuse University.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., condemned the recent string of racist, anti-Semitic and bias-related attacks in a statement sent to The Daily Orange on Sunday afternoon. At least 10 incidents have been reported to the Department of Public Safety since Nov. 7, including swastikas, racial slurs and graffiti targeting black and Asian people.

Gillibrand, a former 2020 presidential contender, said she was “horrified and saddened” that the country’s growing trend of hate crimes has now affected SU.

“Students should feel safe on campus, and these troubling attacks harm the well-being of our Syracuse community,” she said. “Racist and hateful behavior does not reflect our values as New Yorkers, and it should never be tolerated.”

After reports surfaced of vandalism and racist graffiti in Day Hall on Nov. 11, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was personally “disgusted by the recent rash of hateful language found scrawled on the walls at Syracuse University.” 

The governor directed the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force and the state’s Division of Human Rights to open an investigation into the racist messages. Under the probe, state law enforcement and human rights officials will assist and coordinate with DPS and the Syracuse Police Department.

Completely horrific and unacceptable. We must keep speaking out against such intolerable actions that only serve to divide us.
https://t.co/o6wPeL5cnR

— Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (@gillibrandny) November 16, 2019

Along with state politicians, several local elected officials have expressed support of the ongoing #NotAgainSU protests continuing in the university’s health and wellness center.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens and Common Council President Helen Hudson all attended the sit-in protest at the Barnes Center at The Arch on Saturday. Throughout their visit, all three city officials repeated their support of the #NotAgainSU protesters. 

Walsh said he hoped this protest proves that standing up and making one’s voice heard can create change. Just because something’s considered to fit the status quo doesn’t mean it should be, he said. 

Hudson said she was proud of #NotAgainSU for demonstrating. 

“We’re fighting it on all fronts, but what do they say? We’re stronger together. So let’s stick together, let’s stay stronger and let’s fight back,” Hudson said.

In addition to city officials, local state representatives came to the Barnes Center to voice their solidarity with demonstrators at the sit-in. Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter, whose district includes portions of Syracuse and its surrounding suburbs, met and spoke with protesters Sunday afternoon.

“The times that we live in now are very overwhelming for everyone, but you have to be able to take a breath,” Hunter said. “We’re in this for the long haul.”

Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli and State Sen. Rachel May, whose representative areas include SU, attended the protests on Saturday.

“Honest and truly, it breaks my heart to be here on this issue,” Magnarelli said. 

The assemblyman, who is also an SU alumnus, offered to do all that he could and said it was important for public figures, like himself, to “at least show that we care.”

May, who read the list of demands from #NotAgainSU, said she was generally impressed with the protesters’ requests.

“My heart is with you all,” May said, finishing her remarks.

— Assistant news editors Emma Folts and Gabe Stern and managing editor Catherine Leffert contributed reporting to this article.

Published on November 17, 2019 at 11:01 pm

Contact Ghael at jgfobesm@syr.edu