The Decalogue Society of Lawyers strongly condemns the anti-Semitic attack against a Jewish man yesterday afternoon in downtown Skokie, IL. The yarmulke-wearing, Jewish man was accosted by a perpetrator using anti-Semitic epithets. The attacker pursued the victim and caused damage to the victim’s car, in which he sought refuge. The victim was targeted because he wore a yarmulke. This is the second overtly anti-Semitic crime committed in the Chicagoland area in days. That this incident occurred in Skokie, home to a large Jewish community that includes holocaust victims, and which has historically been targeted by hate groups, is alarming.
All people in our community, our state and our nation have the right to live in safety and free from any hate crimes or other discriminatory behavior. The Decalogue Society applauds the Skokie Police Department and the Cook County State’s Attorney for taking decisive action. And Decalogue looks forward to working with them and with other groups to make sure that the Jewish community’s safety concerns are being addressed. And we look forward to appropriate charges being brought against the perpetrator of this hate crime.
Hate is one of the greatest evils that all societies must confront. And they must confront it decisively. For over eight decades, Decalogue has stood at the forefront of battling against all forms of hate and discrimination and to ensure that our nation remains free for all of its inhabitants. Over its existence, Decalogue has fought to defend the dignity and inherent rights of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, sex, or sexual orientation.
Decalogue shall continue to proudly stand in support of all victims of hate, and among the voices opposing the evils of hate and intolerance.