Response of Nita M. Lowey (D-N.Y.)

"Yes, Congresswoman Lowey believes as the Department of Justice and the FBI have reported, hate crimes are a problem in New York and a problem nationally. In 2017, there were 7,175 hate crimes committed nationally, up from 6,121 in 2016, 552 in New York alone, against individuals because of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, gender or gender identity. While hateful, violent behavior has always existed, she believes the Trump Presidential seal of approval has normalized racism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism. She thinks his rhetoric has inspired acts of violence, as recently seen in El Paso, Texas. Even in our own backyard, we’ve seen an increase in anti-Semitic crimes here in New York."