Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
LAPD Investigating Assault On Jewish Men In Beverly Grove As Hate Crime
A screen capture of the area of where the assault against Jewish men happened.
(
Google Maps
)
The L.A. Police Department is investigating the assault on a party of Jewish men dining in Beverly Grove by a pro-Palestinian group earlier this week as a possible hate crime.
The attack happened Tuesday night outside Sushi Fumi on North La Cienega Boulevard.
We as a city condemn last night's organized, anti-Semitic attack.
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) May 19, 2021
Jewish Angelenos, like all residents, should always feel safe in our city.@LAPDHQ is investigating this assault as a hate crime, and we will respond with the full force of the law.
Brian Levin, the director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino, said that in order for a crime to qualify as a hate crime, there must be probable cause it was committed out of hate for a protected characteristic, like religion.
"And at least from the facts that are available, it appears that it is," Levin said.
Levin said anti-semitic attacks have been rising in the U.S. over the last five years, and they're not unusual after episodes like the violence in Gaza — they're actually part of a pattern that’s been observed for decades.
"We see these spikes that occur around catalytic events, and we see similar spikes with respect to attacks against our Muslim friends and neighbors as well, " he said.
Sponsored message
City leaders have denounced the incident, and the Anti-Defamation League is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
