Community Leaders To Rally At Capitol Against Anti-Semitism
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – After a few incidents of anti-Semitism in Sacramento, local leaders are taking a stand against it.
Lawmakers will join the Jewish community in a rally on the Capitol steps Monday afternoon.
The rally is expected to draw a large crowd, and it's the beginning of a conversation for stricter rules against anti-Semitism at California universities.
For residents, it's still hard to believe. But a few weeks after a hateful display of swastikas went up in this quiet Sacramento neighborhood, the homeowner refuses to respond to reporters, neighbors, even lawmakers who have asked him to take it down.
"I don't think the community really can stop him," said resident Sarah Collins.
But the community did block him for a day. Parents banded together and raised money for a U-Haul. They parked it in front of his home Saturday during a little league parade.
"Just giving him attention is feeding into his, whatever he's [got] going on, it's crazy," Collins said.
Barry Broad, the president of the Jewish Federation, says the community is fed up.
"It's very, very worrisome," Broad said.
Broad is calling on the community to join him and lawmakers on the Capitol steps Monday in a rally against a rise in hate crimes and offensive speech, coinciding with a proposed new law.
"We will simply not tolerate hatred in our community," Broad said.
The bill would require all student government bodies in California to have mandatory training in discrimination and civil rights.
"I think it's important for people to stand together to stand up against and make a very clear message about that," said California State Senator Richard Pan.
The new language follows several examples of anti-Semitism on University of California campuses.
"Just like prior generation had to learn about racism or homophobia, this new generation needs to learn the lessons of what is anti-Semitism," Broad said.
The rally starts at 5:30 p.m. Monday on the west steps of the Capitol.