De Blasio Attends Lighting at Menorah Vandalized Twice

NEW YORK
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday joins community members and residents for the re-lighting of the menorah in Carl Schurz Park, which was vandalized the night before.
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday joins community members and residents for the re-lighting of the menorah in Carl Schurz Park, which was vandalized the night before.

Mayor Bill de Blasio danced with community members at a menorah lighting ceremony in Gracie Mansion’s shadows, after the menorah was vandalized twice over the weekend.

Soon after the news broke that the 100-pound menorah situated in Carl Schurz Park, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, had been vandalized twice over the weekend, de Blasio on Monday quickly added the ceremony to his schedule.

Calling it a “powerful evening,” the mayor appeared to be enjoying himself, laughing with the estimated 1,000 guests and dancing to “V’Al Hanisim.”

“This is the epitome of who we are in this city,” de Blasio said. “This is the epitome of who we are because even when confronted by hatred, by division, we stand up, we show our strength, we show our resilience, we show our love for one another, we show our embrace of all peoples. And yes, the light does triumph over the darkness.”

The mayor’s residence, Gracie Mansion, is located in the park, a few blocks away from the menorah. It had been knocked to the ground twice — on Shabbos and Sunday nights. The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident and there is a $2,500 reward offered for information.

After the event ended, the mayor walked to his home, accompanied by an entourage of Jewish community members.

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