April 3, 2025
Dear Speaker Heastie and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins,
We write to you today as religious leaders in our communities to express our support for the Dinowitz/Skoufis Masked Harassment bill. Our faith communities have witnessed firsthand the harmful effects of masked intimidation, and we stand united in the belief that it is time to take action to protect all New Yorkers.
Our communities often stand out visually and are easily identifiable due to our distinctive attire and customs. Unfortunately, in recent years, we have seen an increase in incidents where individuals intentionally conceal their faces to harass and threaten members of our communities simply because they are dressing in accordance with their religious beliefs. All too often, those who intend to cause harm or intimidation are able to do so with relative impunity. We should not fear expressing our religious beliefs, and our religion should never make us easy targets of harassment.
The Dinowitz/Skoufis bill addresses this growing problem by creating a violation for using masks to harass, threaten, or intimidate individuals, thus providing a route to hold bad actors accountable. The bill also protects the right to wear masks for health, religious, cultural, and occupational reasons – a set of carveouts that we fully support.
As religious leaders, we are committed to creating spaces where all people feel safe, supported, and able to live out their faith without fear of harassment or violence. That is why we are urging your support on the Dinowitz/Skoufis bill to ensure that New Yorkers of all faiths and backgrounds can worship, live, and work in peace.
Sincerely,
Rev. AR Bernard, Christian Cultural Center
Bishop Avery Comithier, Elijah Missionary Church
Pastor Carlos Haynes, Faith Assemblies of God
Rev. Faithlyn Morrison, New Hope Christian Fellowship
Rev. Jacques Degraff, Choose Healthy Life
Pastor James Richmond, SDA Network of Churches
Rev. James Duncan, Christ Church International
Minister John Williams, Flatbush Diabetes Taskforce
Rev. Dr. Johnnie M. Green, Jr., Mobilizing Preachers & Communities
Rev. Dr. Joseph Chukwu, Helping Hands Ministries
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, NY Board of Rabbis
Pastor Julien Leblanc, Good Hope Ministries
Rev. Dr. Kennard Davis, Truth Center Church
Pastor Kyron Leon John, Rogers Ave, SDA Church
Rev. Dr. Lorenzo Willaimson, Deeper Life Tabernacle
Bishop Mitchell G. Taylor, Center Of Hope International
Minister Nicole Langlaiste, Worldwide Association of Small Churches
Bishop Orlando Findlayter, New Hope Christian Fellowship
Pastor Terry Lee, ByWays & Hedges Youth for Christ Ministry
Bishop Vaden Grant, Victory International Fellowship, Brooklyn
Pastor Zulima Cox, Family Life Worship Center
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