Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella held a press conference at the JCC of Staten Island on July 28 with Jewish, Asian, and religious community leaders to condemn the recent anti-Semitic and anti-Asian stabbing incidents in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
The two attacks occurred on the afternoon of July 23. A 57-year-old Asian man was stabbed from behind near West 84th Street and Central Park West, followed by a 50-year-old Jewish man being stabbed in the chest near West 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Both victims were taken to the hospital for treatment and are expected to make a full recovery.
The 51-year-old suspect, Raul Morales, was later arrested. According to statements from the victims and witnesses, the suspect reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the attacks. He currently faces charges of two counts of attempted murder as hate crimes, as well as other hate crime-related charges.
Fossella emphasized that there is no place for anti-Semitic or anti-Asian violence in Staten Island. He pledged to work closely with law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, and community leaders to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable under the law. “Whenever incidents like this occur, we stand together to send a message: we simply want to live in peace,” he stated.
A representative of District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, James Clinton, stated that if the defendant is charged with a hate crime, the prosecution will not withdraw or reduce the hate crime charges during plea negotiations.
Representatives from various religious communities, including Jewish, Catholic, Christian, and Hindu leaders, spoke at the event, urging unity in stopping the spread of hatred.