Governor Kathy Hochul hosts 'Unity Summit' to discuss hate crimes in NY
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Governor Kathy Hochul convened what she's calling a "Unity Summit" to discuss hate crimes in New York.
The summit happened at John Jay College in Manhattan on Wednesday.
"It's the first time in our State's history that we brought together elected leaders, survivors, community and faith leaders with one purpose. And that is to stand unified against hate," Hochul said. "And there's no better place to do it than right here in New York City, one of the most diverse, dynamic populations on the face of this Earth, our home. And that's a great pride as New Yorkers, our melting pot of cultures, perspectives, traditions."
Hochul told the crowd that attacking a New Yorker is like picking a fight with 20 million other New Yorkers.
"And that is not the fight you want to pick," she said. That is the idea behind the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit and the purpose of today's Summit - standing together, being bold, raising up our voices, sharing strategies, resources, ideas, perspectives, promoting and scaling local initiatives that work, building awareness so others can join the fight."
Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch delivered the keynote address.
Other police and community leaders also spoke at the event.
Hochul first announced plans for a summit in November, when she signed new laws to crack down on hate crimes.
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