Community leaders representing the full spectrum of New York’s diversity gathered this morning at the Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance, Jr.’s office for a special interactive presentation, prepared and presented by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, representing the 30,000 (up 30%+ from 2013) problematic websites, forums and especially Social Media that fuel hate and terrorism in the US and globally. Those in attendance, including the media, received a CD report with over 700 sites that reflect the alarming trends.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center has a longstanding relationship with DA Vance and the Manhattan DA Office. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office collaborates with the Museum of Tolerance New York, the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, on the Restorative Justice Program, which works with eligible defendants charged with hate crimes. Each session at the Museum includes a tour of the Museum’s exhibits, interactive workshops, videos, guided discussions, and special instruction by Museum educators to explore issues of prejudice, diversity, and tolerance, which were tailored to each defendant. Of note, in 2012 MLB player, Delmon Young, participated in the Restorative Justice Program. “This program seeks thoughtful dispositions for defendants charged with bias-related crimes, dispositions that are tailored toward healing both the defendant and the community that he or she targeted,” said DA Vance, Jr. this morning.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Rick Eaton, Senior Researcher of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Mark Weitzman, Director of Government Affairs of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, presented the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s 2014 Digital Terrorism and Hate Report. “The Internet today is the 21st century crime scene. No case that comes through today does not involve the Internet,” said DA Vance, Jr. during his remarks.

“America’s worst nightmare is the Lone Wolf. Guaranteed, every Lone Wolf has spent and will spend years on Social Media websites getting encouragement from terrorist organizations and learning how to plot and build their attack. That’s why the Simon Wiesenthal Center pays so much attention to the Internet and to Social Media sites. Today, no one is safe from hate on the Internet. With the click of a mouse, anyone can say and post whatever they want online, ranging from hateful comments to bomb making tutorials. The Internet is a wonderful tool when used correctly and the most dangerous when not,” said Rabbi Steven Burg, Eastern Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

This year’s Digital Terrorism and Hate Report included a social media report card, rating social media sites on their procedures combating hate. Facebook remains the top rated site with a B+, as they have 2 offices working to take down hateful posts and pages. Twitter moved from an F to a D this year. And VK.com, Russia’s Facebook equivalent, received an F. “They may be crazies, but they understand the power of social media,” Rabbi Cooper said in reference to hate groups and terrorists that turn to social media as their platform of choice.

3 months before the “Boston Bombers,” the Wiesenthal Center raised concerns in last year’s Digital Hate and Terror Report about the website with the directions for how to build the same pressure cooker bomb. This year’s report shows that Glen Miller of the Overland Park Shooting on Passover Eve that killed 3 people in front of Jewish community buildings, was an avid visitor and poster on hate websites.

“The Simon Wiesenthal Center and New York Tolerance Museum are deeply grateful for DA Vance’s continuing leadership in helping to forge dynamic coalitions between government and the community. This event will help us provide a snapshot of current online hate campaigns targeting our kids and seeking to divide our communities and society at large,” Rabbi Cooper said.

“We cannot stress how important it is that we have such a strong working relationship with DA Vance and his office. We cannot fight the hate and terror alone. It is through such partnerships that we are able to make a real difference in New York and across the globe. We are looking forward to continuing to build our critical relationship with the Manhattan DA’s office on important initiatives that will continue to make the world we live in a safer place,” Rabbi Burg added.

(YWN Desk – NYC)