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African-American Leaders Decry Hate Assaults

This morning several leaders of Crown Heights’ African-American community held a press conference on the corner of Kingston Ave. and Empire Blvd., decrying the random acts of violence against Jews that have been plaguing the neighborhood for the past several weeks.

Richard Green, a prominent figure working to heal race relations in the aftermath of the Crown Heights riots in 1991, paraphrased the words that were spoken to Mayor Dinkins by the Lubavitcher Rebbe: “There aren’t two communities living in Crown Heights. It is one community.”

Among the speakers were: Tony Herbert of the National Action Network (an organization led by Al Sharpton – who was not present); Richard Green of the Crown Heights Youth Collective; Jesse Hamilton, District Leader of the 43rd Assembly; Allen James, program manager of Save Our Streets and Morton Hall of the National Action Network.

Notably absent from the press conference were any leaders of the Crown Heights Jewish community.

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29 Comments

  • Very uplifting to see

    As someone who witnessed the Crown Heights Riots, it is so refreshing to see a Positive Leadership that is coming from the African American Community. I hope that their words carry through!

  • Dr. Levi Reiter

    BRAVO !!!

    It is very rewarding to see & hear from non-Jewish members of the CH community– that they are concerned about putting a stop to the “knock-out” attacks their Jewish neighbors have been suffering through.

    It was also nice to hear Mr. Green refer to the Rebbe’s wisdom.

    Please keep the momentum going strong.

  • db

    agree with all the above comments. I also have hopes that these brave pro-active people from the Black contingency of our community come up with some really new ideas of how to approach this. I feel badly that their own people are getting short changed. Any child who will wake up in the morning and think that this is what they are going to do, must be angry, neglected and confused. I think that people have said this, but it cannot be said enough…..these children are in Public Schools (most of them, although some are in private schools) and if they are coming in with signs of negect or abuse, then it needs to be addressed by their principal, social workers, etc. Are they afraid that they parents will be angry and take revenge? WHY is it not being addressed?? These children were innocent and just as pure at birth, and they have their place in the world, just as every being does. So someone must do something. There are ways to come up with ideas for keeping these kids occupied and moving on in their lives so that there is not time for taking their anger out on others.

  • Unity!

    Kudos to the representitives of the African American community for taking action on this issue!

    Re: Jewish leaders not invited.

    Maybe they see that we have so many they didn’t who to call :)

    It’s high time for everyone to put their personal issues & agenda’s on the sidelines and stickup for what they are there for! The needs of the COMMUNITY!

    How much miore can we accomplish with a little bit of unity?

  • Comunity councill

    The chjccc should pay for close circuit viseo to be installed in houses around the comunity

    Ots not too expensive and there is ni reasson that evrey blo k shild have at least three or four houses that will cover the entire block

    It can even be viewd at all gimes by shomrim so they will not need to drive to find the problems they can see it live

  • satmar cusid

    y no rep from community consul ?

    were is eli slaven lettita james ?

    were chanina and eli cohen ?

  • "Notably absent from the press conference were any leaders of the Crown Heights Jewish community."

    Maybe it was calculated. it sends a much stronger message when is is just AA leaders. shows they are genuine. I was actually impressed that they came out by themselves.

  • Uncle Mendel

    WOW ! That Tony Herbert seems like a real mench.
    Perhaps he should run for some office?

  • Attention Chanina

    The only time you show up is for a photo op. Same thing for Shea Hecht. Why aren’t you getting us protection? It’s not ending because the only ones who care are ordinary people like me. What clout do I have? Alone, nothing.

  • Media

    The only way we will get anywhere is to bombard the media….and de Blasio & Bloomberg. Then we need new elections for a CHJCC that will get us what we need, in this case protection.

  • Feh

    Another bunch of photo opportunists. Why aren’t they going into their churches, schools & other places and terrifying the lowlife thugs. Instead of talking, do something.

  • Big hand to Brownsville

    Yes a big hand to these activists most of whom are from Brownsville where they are actually faced with not ‘knock out, ‘ but real live SHOOTINGS on a day to day basis..These people go through a great deal in their own community but they took the time to come to Crown Heights to say….enough is enough. No more violence all.

    Thank Gd, there is hope.

  • Well done

    We always say if a Jew hit an African American we wouldn’t hear the end of it. Now that they are standing up for us so that we can all live in a safe community is wonderful to hear. They could’ve remained silent, but they are stepping up and for that we should be thankful.

  • TZIVIA PEKKAR [C.H].

    B.H. A correction. Mr. Morton Hall, these incidents are not only happening at night, for they happened at 9. 15 a.m this morning, when children are on their way to school, when an 11 year old boy was attacked by two girls, who should have also been on their way to school. Speak to all of the schools in the Crown Heights area.
    But thanks for helping by speaking out.

  • Love my neighbors!!!

    Rev Sharpton was briefed by The organizer of the Press Conf ……..Community Advocate Tony Herbert who volunteered to run Sharpton’s Brooklyn East Chapter of his organization! The national issue will be addressed this weekend at a meeting at their headquarters in Harlem….

  • Mark Cohen

    You need to be armed at home, in the street and on Shabbos. Have Guns and know how to use them, or have tasers. Avoid Blacks and protect your women. Blacks are attacking people across the country, it’s a race war, and these Black leaders can’t stop it. A group of Blacks can turn into a violent mob in seconds.

  • YMSP

    Seeing Black leaders take a lead role in promoting peace is great and something that the Rebbe always used every opportunity to encourage. This should be encouraged and worked for by all.