CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest, Hate Crime Charges for Long Island Man Who Defaced Lee Zeldin Campaign Sign with Nazi Swastika, Murder Code Number
Photos courtesy of @RepLeeZeldin and zeldin.house.gov.
(NEW YORK, NY, 6/29/2022)—The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today welcomed the arrest by Suffolk County Police of a man who allegedly defaced a campaign sign of Republican Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin on Long Island last Sunday.
The alleged vandal, Vincent J. Mckie, 41, has been charged with first-degree aggravated harassment—a hate crime—and fourth-degree criminal mischief for spray-painting the sign with a Nazi swastika and the number “187,” which represents Section 187 of the California Penal Code and defines the crime of murder. The number is also used by gangs as a synonym for murder.
SEE:
Huntington Man Charged with Hate Crime After Damaging Lee Zeldin Campaign Sign, Police Say
Long Island Man Charged with Hate Crime in Lee Zeldin Campaign Sign Vandalism
Afaf Nasher, Executive Director of CAIR-NY, said in a statement:
“We condemn the cowardly actions of this alleged vandal and welcome the hate crimes charges filed against him. As Congressman Zeldin rightly stated, ‘...this type of raw hate must never have any home in NY or the US.' The Nazi swastika is the epitome of hate symbols and is especially hurtful to Congressman Zeldin, who is Jewish. To use such a symbol and hint at murdering someone because of their faith or any other reason is reprehensible, regardless of your political affiliations."
She added that CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging white supremacy, anti-Jewish hate, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR-NY has condemned several other disturbing hate incidents in recent weeks:
SEE:
CAIR-NY Condemns Alleged Snatching of Jewish Boy’s Yarmulke by Man in Brooklyn
CAIR-NY Condemns Racist Assault on Two Asian American Teenage Girls on Staten Island Bus
CAIR-NY Condemns Assault, Robbery of Hispanic Man in Queens, Welcomes Hate Crime Probe
CAIR-NY Condemns Racist Verbal Abuse Targeting Black Pastor in Newburgh
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com