The 12th District Legislators are distraught to find out that New Jersey had more anti-Semitic hate crimes in 2008 than any other state, according to a report by the Anti-Defamation League.
Although the number of incidents declined from 247 in 2007 to 238 in 2008, other states saw even more of a decrease.
“As Legislators in New Jersey,” said Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, “we all would like to see those numbers reduced to zero, and although it is gratifying to see that the number of anti-Semitic hate crimes throughout the country decreased over the past year, we’ve got to do all we can to get New Jersey out of the top three.”
Casagrande, along with Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and State Senator Jennifer Beck, have been the sponsors or co-sponsors of several pieces of legislation in support of New Jersey’s Jewish community, including:
- A-3162 – Established the NJ Israel Commission as a permanent commission with the Department of State;
- A-3186 – Adjusts dates upon which elections may be held that conflict with religious observance;
- AJR-102 – Congratulates Israel for 60th Anniversary;
- and S-1023 – Requires alternative testing arrangements be provided for students unable to attend certain standardized testing because of religious observance.
All four of the pieces of legislation listed above have been signed into law. A-3876, which prohibits investments of state pension and annuity funds in companies with ties to terrorists, is currently before the Assembly State Government Committee for review.
“Prejudice and hate crimes are things that we should not and do not take lightly,” said O’Scanlon. “It’s important that we do what we can as lawmakers to eliminate New Jersey from the list entirely.”
“In light of the recent disturbing incident in East Windsor,” said Beck, “in which someone defiled a sound barrier along Route 133 with swastikas, this report really brings to light how much further we have to go as a state and a nation. I pledge that I and my colleagues in the 12th District will continue to do what we can to stem these incidents, making New Jersey a better place for all to live.”
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