A crude, violent antisemitic message reading "kill a jew, go to heaven" was found scrawled on a rock along the Riverside Park bike path near West 109th Street on Sunday. The discovery rattled Upper West Side residents and park regulars and set off immediate concern from local leaders and advocates.
Hate crimes detectives are investigating
NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force detectives are investigating the vandalism after it was reported near the bike trail by West 109th Street, and no arrests have been made so far, according to New York Daily News. Detectives are reviewing images shared by residents and canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance footage as the probe continues.
Local leaders condemn the vandalism
Assemblyman Micah Lasher shared a photo of the rock on X, calling the message "outrageous" and saying antisemitic hate has "become commonplace," according to New York Daily News. Lasher urged city and state officials to step up protections for public spaces and to treat incidents like this with urgency rather than brushing them off as mere graffiti.
Part of a troubling citywide trend
The discovery lands in the middle of a period when antisemitic vandalism and harassment remain elevated across New York City. The Anti-Defamation League reported record totals in its 2024 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, with the ADL documenting a sharp rise in incidents tied to tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict. Riverside Park itself was hit by anti-Israel graffiti during a wave of vandalism last year, reporting found, and amNewYork detailed similar vandalism in 2024 that targeted the park and nearby storefronts.
Advocates demand accountability
Madison Mounty, director of government relations and advocacy at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said all New Yorkers should be outraged by the graffiti and that hate has no place in public parks. Advocacy groups called for stronger enforcement, more robust education and consistent community outreach to prevent hateful vandalism from escalating into something worse.
What investigators are asking
Officials are asking anyone who was in Riverside Park near West 109th Street on Sunday and who may have photos or video from the area to contact the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force with tips. Neighbors and local leaders say they plan to keep pressing for swift action and transparency as the investigation moves forward.
