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JEWISH COUNCIL PRESSES U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CROWN HEIGHTS August 20, 1993 Hon. Janet Reno Dear Attorney General Reno: The Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council [NEQJCC], at its first meeting [Monday, August 16, 1993] since the release of the report of the New York State Criminal Justice Director on the August 1991 Crown Heights riots, voted unanimously to urge you to expeditiously complete the Justice Department's investigation into the alleged violation of the civil rights of Yankel Rosenbaum, who was tragically murdered. In the wake of the 1992 jury verdict, the NEQJCC wrote the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York to strongly support the commencement of a Federal investigation to determine who should be charged with the violation of Yankel Rosenbaum's civil rights under federal law. At that time, the Council stated: "The verdict in Brooklyn, when the facts include Mr. Rosenbaum's identification of the person who stabbed him, and the acquittal of police officers who were videotaped beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles demonstrate a strong need for the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate crimes involving any form of bias." Bias-related violence in our society must cease. The U.S. Justice Department's thorough and complete investigation of Yankel Rosenbaum's murder can deter future efforts to subvert state and local criminal justice systems to political ends. The Council also supports efforts, especially at the grassroots level, to foster tolerance, understanding and mutual respect. These efforts can only succeed if the justice system, as must be the case in the investigation of Yankel Rosenbaum's murder, ultimately prevails against those who commit heinous hate crimes against innocent victims. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, COREY B. BEARAK c. Sharon Nadel, Executive Director, NEQJCC member organizations Queens Jewish Community Council -30-
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