Religious leaders, community officials discuss protecting places of worship at first-ever Staten Island forum

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Religious leaders of a variety of faiths from across Staten Island gathered together Tuesday for an interfaith forum on “Protecting Places of Worship.”

The event, hosted by District Attorney Michael E. McMahon and the Staten Island Hate Crimes Task Force, marked the first of its kind held on Staten Island.

More than 30 community officials and religious leaders took to the St. John’s University campus in Grymes Hill to lend their ears to a series of speakers sharing information on hate crimes and hate crime preparedness. Although the event had been planned prior to the Israel-Hamas war, the discussion on hate crime prevention is timely as it continues in Gaza.

Rabbis, imams and pastors alike conversed with one another prior to the event’s commencement; a table of light refreshments accommodating the guests. McMahon delivered a welcome, before opening the forum to a moment of prayer.

“We’re seeing more and more (crimes targeting faiths), and maybe it’s a reflection of the times that we live in and the tensions from around the world,’' McMahon said, noting that worldwide tensions cannot be changed locally. “All we can do from this perspective is pray to an end of that tension,” McMahon said

Representatives of all three major monotheistic faiths, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, joined together on stage in unity to deliver opening prayers.

McMahon then expressed his continuous mission of ensuring that everyone feels safe to worship their God in a place where there is no fear of hate. He made sure to emphasize that, in his office and to the NYPD, hate crimes are not tolerated and those prosecuted for a hate crime will not face a plea.

It was shared with those in attendance that there are three major groups responsible for committing hate crimes. The first is those that are young and lack the understanding of the severity of their actions, a concern that McMahon and his office look to address through presentations and education.

Then there are those with mental illness, who make up the largest percentage of those who commit hate crimes. McMahon said in these cases, the accused would be connected with mental health service providers on Staten Island. However, these individuals would still be held accountable for their acts, he said.

Finally, there are those “with hate in their heart,” he said. These cases will continue to be investigated and prosecuted he said, referencing how his office’s long-term investigation resulted in an arrest in the case of anti-LGBTQ+ writings at a bus stop in October.

“We continue to do those cases . . . and I promise you, we won’t rest until we eradicate hate from our shores,” McMahon said.

In response to these acts of hate, the Hate Crimes Task Force was formed to produce education programs and multicultural events.

Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Lauren Elbert said hate crimes are a top priority for the Department of Justice.

“Freedom to exercise one’s religion is one of the constitutional guarantees of our country, which is why there are a number of federal criminal statutes that specifically protect one’s freedom to exercise their religion and that specifically protect houses of worship,” Elbert said.

However, although in place, the statutes are more narrow in comparison to local statutes, as they are more focused on crimes of violence motivated by hate, and crimes interfering with constitutional rights.

In addition to providing a brief breakdown of certain laws in place, Elbert noted that in 2020, religion-driven hate crimes made up approximately 13% of all hate crimes reported to the FBI; the third highest category, only behind sexual orientation and race, ethnicity, and ancestry.

Mark Palladino, executive assistant district attorney for trials and court operations at the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, addressed the issue on a local level. Palladino emphasized the office’s ongoing efforts, while also responding to questions from those gathered.

And Joan Pangilinan-Taylor, the senior director of the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit of the New York State Division of Human Rights, delivered a few remarks on hate crimes and the efforts of councils to combat them. Community circles, one such effort, aims to develop interfaith dialogue to promote connection and healing, she said.

“This issue is real and it has an impact,” Pangilinan-Taylor said. “Even an attack to one person, to a victim, the people it affects, is also an attack on the community, and there is a real impact. It’s debilitating, it creates turbulence.”

The last speaker to take the podium was FEMA Faith-Based Preparedness Coordinator Race Hodges, who shared insight into various offerings from FEMA that cater to hate crime preparedness. Hodges has visited many houses of worship to provide exercises aimed at security planning.

Through FEMA’s Non-Profit Security Grant Program, houses of worship can apply for a grant to boost the security of the location, whether it be additional lighting, establishing a perimeter fence, or hiring security.

“FEMA believes that faith-based organizations and houses of worship are critical for the fabric of the community,” Hodges said. “They do so much, you do so much for feeding the community, for sheltering the community, for providing spiritual care.”

Before concluding, the attendees took part in an activity in which a facilitator moderated a conversation about how groups would respond to various hate crimes. Upon sharing their courses of action, officials then provided tips of their own.

It was advised that upon noticing any such vandalism or property destruction, the individual contact 911 immediately and refrain from touching anything at the site.

It was also considered wise to develop contacts with local law enforcement and to call them, as well, in case of an incident.

For more resources on hate crime preparedness, contact FEMA Faith-Based Preparedness Coordinator Race Hodges at (202)808-5987 or email race.hodges@fema.dhs.gov