HARTFORD, Conn. — Sen. Richard Blumenthal led a group of stakeholders Friday in standing against hate. But his message was interrupted by some pro-Palestinian protestors outside the state capitol in Hartford.
Blumenthal with leaders from the Israeli and Muslim communities, delivered a message that hate has no home here in Connecticut. But after Congress announced their intention to buy missile interceptors and other equipment for Israel, he was quickly accused of funding genocide.
“Sen. Blumenthal, several days ago you offered unshakable and unwavering support to Israel while it conducts a genocidal campaign in Gaza. Killing thousands of children, journalists, civilians, while the people of Gaza starve! Shame on you saying you stand against hate! You are worse than a hypocrite you are an accomplice to the genocide of the Palestinian people. Stop funding genocide!” yelled a protestor.
“I’m happy to talk to you afterward,” responded Blumenthal.
Blumenthal kept that promise.
“You know, it’s a free country. Fortunately,” he added.
Blumenthal stuck around after he delivered remarks to have side conversations with those people who wanted to voice their concerns.
The war between Israel and Hamas has not only sowed division but it’s also sparked bigotry. Not just globally or nationally, but right here at home in Connecticut. The Anti-Defamation League demonstrated hate literature that’s been circulating around UConn.
“This is an example of misinformation that’s been posted on UConn’s campus that is spreading fear and hate,” remarked Stacy Sobel of the Anti-Defamation League as she held up a flier.
The ADL monitors and tracks hate incidents. They’ve seen a 388% rise in harassment, vandalism and assault nationally, a 1,000% increase in threats on social media and a 295% in hate incidents in Connecticut.
“We cannot allow the conflict in the Middle East to trigger hate crimes and bigotry here in America. It requires a coordinated effort,” said Dave Warren of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.
The hate crimes aren’t just limited to the Jewish people. Muslims are being discriminated against just the same.
“Equating American Muslims with foreign terrorist groups is wrong. We have the same concerns about the loss of innocent lives as all people of conscience,” said Farhan Memon of the Connecticut Council on American Islamic Relations.
The overriding message was that hate for one is hate against all. On this day, Jews and Muslims stood shoulder to shoulder to denounce what they call a meteoric rise in hate crimes at synagogues, mosques, schools and community centers.
In an effort to fight back against that hate, the ADL is partnering with the First Cathedral and the Urban League of Greater Hartford for a community conversation in Bloomfield next Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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