FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2019
Contact: John Lyon 845-638-5645

Rockland County Response to Shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand

County Executive Ed Day said, "an attack on anyone because of their religion is an attack upon all of us regardless of religion. Seeing the stories and horrific images on the news this morning about the shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand is truly heart wrenching; my prayers go out to those personally affected by the shootings and to the entire Muslim community. We as a society are suffering from the disease of intolerance. This disease is like a cancer that, unless confronted, will grow to create hate and violence. We will not tolerate intolerance, hatred or violence of any kind here in our beloved county. It is our duty to confront these thoughts at every turn. We must redouble our efforts to respect others and help educate those who are ignorant. We must accept and celebrate the fact that God made each of us unique. We must come together to understand that it is our differences that make us strong."

Sheriff Louis Falco said, "in response to the New Zealand Mosque shootings earlier today the Rockland County Sheriff's Office went into heightened alert status. This means we have put increased resources on the road patrolling not only the Mosques but at all Houses of Worship within Rockland. The Sheriff's Office has been in close communication with other law enforcement agencies within the county to ensure a coordinated response. As always we ask our residents to be aware of their surroundings and if something looks suspicious to call the New York State Terrorism Tip Line at 1-866-SAFENYS or 1-866-723-3697."

Commissioner of Human Rights Constance Frazier said, "there is no place for hate and discrimination anywhere in the world and we have to attack it on all fronts with love and humility. Diversity of ethnicity, religion or race is our greatest strength but in order to truly harness that strength we must come together in community and understanding. When we see events like what happened in New Zealand we have to look at the type of environment that we are raising our children in so that we can instill in them true love and understanding of others. I invite all Rockland residents to join our Human Rights Commission at next week's Interfaith Symposium at Rockland Community College to increase their understanding of their neighbors."

WHAT: Rockland County Interfaith Symposium

WHERE: Ellipse, Technology Center, Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern, NY

WHEN: 8:45 am – 12:30 pm, Wednesday, March 20, 2019

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