April 4,2017
“Recent cemetery attacks in the national news have all had an element of bias intimidation, targeting and desecrated Jewish cemeteries,” said Dancer, noting that in February approximately 100 monuments or markers were destroyed or damaged at a Philadelphia graveyard. “These are not incidents of vandalism. These are hate crimes, and an attack on the Jewish people in our country.”
Defacing or damaging graves is a fourth degree offense. If bias intimidation is found, the charge is elevated to third degree, punishable by five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
“This reprehensible behavior cannot be accepted,” said Dancer. “Intolerance, bigotry and hatred are diseases that spread like viruses. It’s crucial to fight every form of racial and religious bias.”
