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Orthodox Jews continue to be targeted in New York City after Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared last week that he may “close the synagogues” over the lack of compliance with coronavirus restrictions.
Democratic officials are suggesting large gatherings of Orthodox Jews are behind an outbreak of several COVID-19 “clusters” that have cropped up and authorities are now hitting them in the wallet.
Five Orthodox Jewish institutions were fined $15,000 for allegedly having more than 10 people inside their facilities, which is a violation of health code restrictions in place to combat the pandemic.
The synagogues were not shut down because the New York City Sheriff’s office has no authority to do so, according to WNBC-TV reporter Myles Miller.
NEW: Five #BoroughPark religious institutions were levied $15,000 fines for having more than 10 people inside. It’s a violation of the city health code, per @NYCSHERIFF. None were shutdown because the agency has no authority to do so.
— 𝐌𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐍. 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 (@MylesMill) October 11, 2020
Miller reported that one facility in Borough Park had 300 people inside, linking to an article from the Gothamist that said the people were inside for 5 hours without masks.
Citing multiple sources, the Gothamist reported, “The service was led by a prominent rabbi who tested positive for coronavirus one week ago.”
.@jangelooff reported Friday, 300 people were inside https://t.co/j5pfphYUCU https://t.co/wsiM9cw4tv
— 𝐌𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐍. 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 (@MylesMill) October 11, 2020
Gov. Cuomo’s decision to limit religious facilities in the cluster areas to just 10 people enraged many in the ultra-Orthodox community.
Intense protests broke out last week, as many defied orders from law enforcement to disperse.
People from Borough Park, Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish community protested, defied cop orders to disperse, & lit fires “in protest of new state mandated restrictions imposed on area synagogues, schools and non-essential businesses over a COVID-19 surge.” https://t.co/jlA5Ad7tGW pic.twitter.com/jNhRwQLENo
— Ash J (@AshAgony) October 7, 2020
As for wearing masks, a little bonfire of burning masks in the middle of the street captured the sentiment well.
There is a mask burning going on in Boro Park, Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/HKebbFp3pr
— Yaakov Pollak (@Yanky_Pollak) October 7, 2020
Hundreds of mask-less Orthodox Jews took to the street to express their outrage:
This is what happened in Borough Park in Brooklyn, New York last night.
A mass protest against new COVID-19 regulations on houses of worship announced by NY Governor @NYGovCuomo earlier in the day pic.twitter.com/ynhQfQsUdd— Jeremy Sharon (@jeremysharon) October 7, 2020
At one point, the scene evolved into a “pro-Trump dance party,” according to Jake Offenhartz, a reporter for the Gothamist.
Right now it’s basically a pro-Trump dance party. Lots of media here after last night’s violence, but no sign of similar chaos (though someone was chucking eggs a few minutes ago) pic.twitter.com/FJUZ5xpIm9
— Jake Offenhartz (@jangelooff) October 8, 2020
The Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn sued the state of New York in federal court last week, according to Fox News.
The diocese said Cuomo’s actions would effectively force more than two dozen of its churches to close even though they’ve “been reopened for months in strict adherence to all medical and governmental guidance without any COVID-related incidents whatsoever.”
Calling the case a “difficult decision,” U.S. District Judge Eric Komitee sided with the Democratic governor in denying the request for a temporary restraining order.
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