NYC Mayor Blames Trump, Hate Speech for Rise in Hate Crimes

Tuesday, December 6, 2016 9:58 am | < 1 Minute Read

File-This Dec. 29, 2014, file photo shows New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaking during a New York Police Academy graduation ceremony at Madison Square Garden in New York. In the aftermath of last months terror attacks in Paris, New York City not only bolstered security but quietly stepped up outreach efforts to its Muslim community. It aimed to calm fears about any hate-filled retaliation while trying to extend government services to a community that often has felt neglected. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

Mayor Bill de Blasio says he believes president-elect Donald Trump is to blame for an increase in reported New York City hate crime incidents.

The Democratic mayor made the comments at a news conference Monday. The topics included weekend threats made against an off-duty Muslim New York Police Department officer while she was with her teenage son in Brooklyn.

De Blasio spoke out against the attack on Officer Aml Elsokary and said Trump used hate speech during his campaign. The mayor urged Trump to be more proactive in discouraging hate crimes.

The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force has deemed 43 incidents possible hate crimes since Trump was elected a month ago. That’s more than double the number of cases reported during the same period last year.

To Read The Full Story