Antisemitic Assailant Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Commit Hate Crimes

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that SAADAH MASOUD pled guilty to one count of participating in a conspiracy to commit hate crime acts in connection with MASOUD’s repeated physical attacks of Jewish victims in New York City between 2021 and 2022.  MASOUD was first arrested in this case on June 14, 2022.  MASOUD pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Saadah Masoud deliberately targeted three victims because of their religion and nation of origin.  There is no place in this country for this offensive and hateful conduct.  This Office is dedicated to seeking justice for victims of hate crimes and will aggressively prosecute those who spread hate by criminal means.”

According to the Indictment, other public filings, and statements made in court:

From at least in or about May 2021 through at least in or about April 2022, MASOUD and others conspired to commit hate crime acts in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere.  In furtherance of the conspiracy, MASOUD assaulted at least three victims based upon the victims’ actual and perceived religion and national origin.  Specifically, as part of his guilty plea, the defendant admitted to committing the following acts of violence that were motivated by the victims’ Jewish or Israeli identity or perceived identity:

• On or about April 20, 2022, in Manhattan, MASOUD assaulted a victim who was wearing an Israeli flag.
• On or about June 2, 2021, in Brooklyn, MASOUD and a co-conspirator assaulted a victim who was wearing clothing traditionally associated with the Jewish religion, including a yarmulke, while the victim was sitting outside the victim’s own home.
• On or about May 20, 2021, in Manhattan, MASOUD assaulted a victim who was wearing a Star of David necklace.

MASOUD, 29, of Staten Island, New York, pled guilty to one count of participating in a conspiracy to commit hate crime acts, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.  MASOUD is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department’s Hate Crime Task Force and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

On Saturday night, just hours before we commemorated Trans Remembrance Day, there was a mass shooting in Colorado Springs at Club Q that resulted in the death of 5 people with many others sustaining serious injuries. This horrific tragedy highlights the effects of bigotry and poor gun control in our country. We must do more to protect our neighbors from gun violence and protect our LGBTQIA+ community from the pervasive homophobia and transphobia that threatens their existence. Please join me in praying for all of those affected by this tragedy. The Office of the Bronx Borough President will continue to fight for a world where everyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, is welcomed and respected.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

IN THE COMMUNITY  

Happy Puerto Rican Heritage Month!!  La noche estuvo brutal! We gathered at Con Sofrito to celebrate the many contributions of our Puerto Rican community here in the Bronx. Thank you our incredible MC Jomil Luna for bringing the high energy! Thank you to Bombazo Dance Co and La Jara for their beautiful performances! Lastly, thank you to Con Sofrito for the delicious food and ambiance! To our honorees who continue to lift up the Puerto Rican community through their work and commitment to their culture and heritage, thank you for all you do.

Thank you to the team at Callen- Lorde for the opportunity to tour your facility and hear about the work your team is doing to provide culturally competent, patient-centered care to our LGBTQIA+ community in the Bronx. We look forward to working with you to enhance LGBTQ services in our Borough. Callen-Lorde, named after queer rights activist Michael Callen and civil rights activist Audre Lorde, is a global leader in LGBTQ healthcare and has been transforming lives through comprehensive care since 1983. Office of The Bronx Borough President  851 Grand Concourse, Ste. 301, Bronx, NY 10451

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE RESPONDS TO COURT DECISION IN LAWSUIT OVER EDUCATION BUDGET CUTS

 

"Today’s ruling found that advocates, educators, students, and parents were correct – the administration acted outside of its authority and responsibility in an effort to push through cuts to education funding. Unfortunately, it also helps to make that effort successful, reinstating the FY2023 budget that strips critical resources from our public school students.

"I urge the Council and administration to use the imminent budget modification to restore funding, rather than deepening the damage through further reductions. We have a moral and governing responsibility to strengthen the systems New Yorkers rely on, and shortchanging our schools will only harm students in the immediate moment and lead to further exodus from what should be the best education system in the country."

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - Nov 22, 2022

 

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing and Treatment

67 Statewide Deaths Reported from November 19 to November 21

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"With respiratory illnesses circulating in our state this Thanksgiving holiday, I urge New Yorkers to remain vigilant and to use all available tools to keep themselves and loved ones in their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Stay up to date on vaccine doses, and test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Yesterday, Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to take precautions this holiday season to protect young children, older individuals and those with underlying health conditions from respiratory viruses like Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), influenza and COVID-19 as infections continue to rise nationwide. Influenza is spreading quickly, with the number of laboratory-confirmed cases statewide having nearly tripled over the past three weeks, while hospitalizations have more than doubled.

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul launched a public awareness campaign featuring New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett speaking directly to New Yorkers about the three viruses circulating in the state with similar symptoms and the potential to cause serious illness. Produced by the New York State Department of Health, the videos include a short clip and a longer version geared toward parents; and a version aimed specifically at health care providers.

Governor Hochul continues to remind New Yorkers that children ages 5 and older may now receive the bivalent booster shots that are recommended to increase protection against COVID-19.

The Governor also urges New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.

In addition, Governor Hochul encourages New Yorkers to get their annual flu vaccine as flu season is widespread across New York State. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.

The State Department of Health is continuing its annual public education campaign, reminding adults and parents to get both flu and COVID-19 shots for themselves and children 6 months and older. Advertisements in both English and Spanish language began running last month.

For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

1. Cases Per 100k - 15.18
2. 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 18.88
3. Test Results Reported - 38,418
4. Total Positive - 2,967
5. Percent Positive - 6.88%**
6. 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.87%**
7. Patient Hospitalization - 2,919 (+275)
8. Patients Newly Admitted - 1045*
9. Patients in ICU - 287 (+33)
10. Patients in ICU with Intubation - 101 (+8)
11. Total Discharges - 364,414 (+692)*
12. New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 67*
13. Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 59,288*

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity. The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 75,642

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:

Borough	Saturday,   Nov.  19, 2022	Sunday,   Nov.  20, 2022	Monday,   Nov.  21, 2022
Bronx	7.07%	7.06%	6.99%
Kings	5.71%	5.77%	5.82%
New York	6.26%	6.28%	6.31%
Queens	7.00%	6.95%	7.01%
Richmond	5.12%	4.98%	4.82%