Interview With Gov. Kathy Hochul Of New York.
Interview
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Well, thank you, Wolf. And as soon as I had heard about these threats, I immediately raced to Cornell to sit with students yesterday morning. We were in the Center for Jewish Living.
Wolf, these young people are scared. And to have seen online posts that called on others to follow Jewish students home and to murder them, it sends chills down your spine.
So I told those students that I would leave no stone unturned. We work hard. I left the state police in charge, working close with the FBI and local law enforcement. And I said we're going to work really hard to bring an end to this and to the fullest extent of the law, prosecute any individuals involved in what is a hate crime at the federal level and at the state level.
We learned today that there are -- yes, there's a person of interest who has been questioned, now in custody of the FBI, Joint Terrorism Task Force as well, but started with the state police. And that's all I can reveal about this now, but this is an ongoing investigation.
And the message is clear: you will be caught. You may think that you can be anonymous and post what you want, but there will be consequences, and this will be an example of how serious we are taking these threats against New Yorkers.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
That's not something I can talk about right now. I'm sure a case is being built, but I don't want to jeopardize the success of any kind of prosecution. So I won't speak anymore on the substance, other than these students will sleep a little bit better tonight knowing that there is a person of interest in custody, and that's where I want to give them some relief, to the enormous stress they're under.
And whether it's a Jewish student or a Palestinian, Muslim -- people are under enormous distress right now. And the emotional toll that these hate crimes are taking is -- it's cruel, and it has to stop.
And I gave a major speech on this today, talking about how the rise of antisemitism, Islamophobia, people feeling so vulnerable going to their synagogues and their mosques or their classes. This is not who New Yorkers are, we're calling it out, we're standing firm. We'll support law enforcement and let people know that the state of New York will have their backs and take this seriously.
BREAK IN TRANSACTION
Wolf, it was already escalating. I did some events over the summer, another one in September, calling on people to be more vigilant, to tell them if there is an increase in antisemitic posts, certainly more so than others. But a rise in all hate crimes.
But we also have to be looking up for each other. We have law enforcement on high alert. I called on our campuses to do what I asked them to do. Make sure that they have a hotline so students feel at least to report what they see and hear, whether they themselves are the victim or they see someone else having to be subjected to this kind of hate speech or actions.
So I want all of -- all of those forces, and I just put $75 million on the table today, to help local law enforcement helped secure these facilities.
Those young students yesterday at Cornell ask me for one thing. They said, can you give us more security cameras right here, so we don't have to worry so much? I said yes, we'll make sure that happens.
So, it's all about security features, it's about awareness, it's about letting law enforcement know that this is our top priority, so people can finally feel safe again. But I think you are right, and I hate to say this -- I don't think this is the end yet. This -- we have a long way to go to start restoring the civility and the respect for different people's religions and beliefs that has never been perfect, but it's certainly in rapid decline since October 7th.
And we've got to start pulling ourselves back, and be a model to the rest of the nation and the world about how New Yorkers are feeling very passionate about their views, but you can be passionate about your beliefs. But it doesn't mean that you have to be harmful or hateful to another New Yorker.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Thank you, Wolf.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source