By Dan Israeli
The legislation was sponsored by Assemblyman Tom Alfano (R-Franklin Square) and state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), along with Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D-Brooklyn).
The legislation classifies the hanging of a noose as a hate crime, similar to spray-painting a swastika on a building or displaying a burning cross on a lawn. First-degree aggravated harassment carries a maximum penalty of one to four years in prison.
Several Nassau County lawmakers backed the bill, including Assemblymen Bob Barra and Harvey Weisenberg, and Sens. Charles Fuschillo and Kemp Hannon. The legislation was developed after a series of incidents involving nooses in the Town of Hempstead, according to Alfano, as well as another highly publicized case at Columbia University last October, when a noose was found hanging on an African American professor's office door.
Alfano called the bill a "major victory for social justice and decency," especially for a diverse community like Long Island. "These incidents are despicable and a disgrace," he said. "Long Island is a mosaic of cultures, backgrounds and peoples. The perpetrators of these gutless and cowardly acts will now be brought to justice and put behind bars where they belong. Racial hatred has no place in our community."
Skelos said he was very proud of the effort, and hopes the bill will attack racism at its roots. "When I heard about these incidents, I was sickened and knew we had to do something immediately," he said. "When the governor signs the legislation, we will win yet another victory in the fight to stamp out racism."
The noose-hanging incidents are, for many, proof that racial threats are not just a relic of the past, and the response to them is evidence that neither politicians nor community activists are taking the threats lightly. Sandra Smith, co-chair of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development, said that sometimes it only takes one incident to open people's eyes. "It's amazing to me how one thing can happen and everyone jumps on the bandwagon," she said. "I still feel there is a great need for this legislation to move forward. Some people do these things as a practical joke. This type of legislation will make people think twice."
Smith added that a single highly publicized hate crime often inspires copycat crimes, and that the proposed law could deter people from doing so. "Hopefully this will prevent it, not from ever happening again, but from leading to other things," she said. "If people are just getting a slap on the wrist, it's not going to prevent anything crazier from happening."
Aubrey Phillips, an Elmont Board of Education trustee, said he discussed the incident at Columbia with Alfano shortly after it made headlines. "I sometimes have to look at the date on my watch and ask myself what year it is, because I can't believe things are happening like this in 2008," Phillips said. "What Tom has done is commendable on a number of fronts. There are so many societal ills still revolving around views of hatred. Anything we can do to shine a light on the issue is positive, especially in the form of policy. It's important that our state officials realize that they need to address these issues head on."
Hate crimes involving desecration are commonly committed against houses of worship. Rabbi Stephen Dresner of the Franklin Square Jewish Center said he has had a few incidents of vandalism, but they have been few and far between. "We've met with the local monsignor to talk about it," he said. "Sometimes it pays to be quiet and not draw attention."
Dresner expressed his support for the legislation, while also offering his suggestion for another form of punishment. "I'm very happy that our legislators took note of such an attack on human rights," he said. "It lets the public know you can't attack any people for any reason, or you will be punished by the full extent of the law. We can also add some community service involvement. If you hang a noose on a church door, you have to mow their lawn."
"The symbolism of a noose and the ethnic, racial and community hatred it stirs is strong and evil," Alfano said. "This action had to be taken, and taken now. I'm proud of this bill, and I can only hope that we can continue to go down the road where social justice, equality and healing can continue."
Comments about this story? (516) 569-4000 ext 214 or Disraeli@liherald.com.
