Perhaps anticipating questions like #JohnNeelyKennedy’s, Berry encouraged senators, despite their concerns about the Oct7 attacks, to focus on “the increase in #HateCrimes our country has experienced for nearly the last decade & the need for a whole-of-society approach that can effectively stem the tide of all #hate targeting all communities.”

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#HateCrimes against #Arabs & #Jews have spiked in the #UnitedStates. Berry, who co-chairs the Leadership Conference of #CivilRights & #HumanRights hate crimes task force, told lawmakers that while hate crimes ticked up 7% between 2022 & last year, those against Arabs & Jews spiked by 73% & 58%, respectively.

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“I didn’t expect a direct #racist attack,” Berry told The WaPo on Wed.

Kennedy’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Kennedy questioned Berry as part of a hearing titled “A Threat to #Justice Everywhere: Stemming the Tide of #HateCrimes in #America.” The other witnesses who testified were Mark Goldfeder, director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, & Kenneth Stern, director of the Bard Center for the Study of #Hate.

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