Mohawk Valley Times

Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) attended a press conference led by Assembly and Senate Minority lawmakers, emphasizing that "hate has consequences." The event focused on addressing rising incidents of antisemitism on college campuses across New York State.

Smullen, alongside his colleagues, introduced proposals aimed at mitigating these incidents. The proposed legislation includes establishing new crimes for deceptive wearing of a mask and aggravated deceptive wearing of a mask (A.10043/S.9194), as well as prohibiting state funding for higher education institutions that allow certain pro-terrorist groups on campus (S.9193).

"My Assembly Minority Conference colleagues and I will continue to voice our grave concerns and call for immediate changes to protect college students and staff throughout our great state," said Smullen. "Antisemitism will not be tolerated in New York state, let alone on college and university campuses where we send our children off to live and learn in their first few years of adulthood."

He added, "No one should ever feel disrespected or unsafe on the basis of religion. Moving these proposals forward will send a very clear message to anyone who disagrees: hate has consequences."