NEW HAVEN, Conn. — In New Haven, a local rabbi said he feels targeted by a city employee after she allegedly walked up and down his street with a megaphone, calling for a cease fire in the war in Gaza.
The whole thing ended in a verbal altercation, which was caught on camera and is now making its rounds on social media.
Rabbi Elchanan Poupko said he has a sign in his front lawn supporting Israel and he believes that could have been the reason the marchers came near his home on Knollwood Dr., down the street from Hopkins School.
“I wasn’t really there to curtail their free speech. If you’re on a megaphone in a residential area, you have to ask, what is that person doing here? Why are they here? Who is their audience because there’s no sidewalks here, it’s not downtown, and so why are they here? And that’s where you really need to reach the conclusion that it’s targeting someone,” Rabbi Poupko said.
Poupko said the woman, now identified as Thabisa Rich, told him she lives on his street.
In the video, viewers can see Poupko confront the woman and another man she’s with, who Poupko believes was her husband.
“She stood in front of my house with a megaphone, and started screaming. What’s that, if not Nazi behavior,” Poupko said in the video at one point.
RELATED: Protestors calling for a ceasefire in Gaza interrupt Gov. Lamont's State of the State address
To which the male standing next to a car on the street said, “Well you do have a sign that says you support Israel.”
Poupko said he just moved to the area three months ago. And on Sunday, Feb. 11, was at home with his family when he heard yelling outside of his house.
“My mind is racing trying to figure out, ‘Who is this and why did they come here?’ Because when you’re with your family it’s just a very scary thought, ‘Who’s targeting me,’” Poupko said.
Poupko eventually got into a verbal argument with the marchers, and his family ended up calling the cops.
Poupko said police determined no crime was committed, as it's legal for people to exercise their right to free speech.
“This is not about being Jewish or not Jewish, it’s about being neighborly. It’s about making sure that a neighborhood is a place where everyone is welcome. Where people are not targeted because of their opinions or their identity,” Poupko said.
Rich does work for the city as a Community Outreach Coordinator for the Arts, Culture, and Tourism Department.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker sent the following statement about the situation:
“Ms. Rich’s personal statements, social media posts and actions on this issue represent her views alone, and she does not speak on behalf of the City of New Haven.
While people have very different and strongly held views on the war between Israel and Hamas, there is an appropriate time, place, and manner in which to express them. In my view, Ms. Rich exercised extremely poor judgement in this regard. In addition, several of her personal statements and social media posts are incredibly offensive to our Jewish residents and the wider New Haven community.
We are actively reviewing this matter, collecting information and will act accordingly once our review is complete.”
Poupko said he’s a strong believer in free speech, and feels there’s a time and place for these demonstrations, but a residential area on a Sunday is not it.
Afterward, he looked on Rich’s social media pages.
“I mean, she has posts where she says just to her followers, ‘I know y’all have pockets that are lined with Jewish money.’ That’s just anti-Semitic,” Poupko said.
FOX61 attempted to reach Rich on social media and at her door, with no response.
In the meantime, Poupko said he will continue to display his Israel sign in his lawn, and speak out against any hate.
“Last night I was putting my daughter to sleep, and she was like ‘I’m having scary dreams about that scary lady.’ And I just would want to ask that person, ‘Was that your intention?’” Poupko said.
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.