Graveyard Exploited by Pols Was Damaged by Neglect, Not Racists

Lawmakers are eager to tighten their grip in response to an alleged wave of anti-Semitic graveyard vandalism:

Lawmakers on Monday joined Jewish leaders to call for increased penalties for cemetery vandals after a rash of anti-Semitic graveyard desecrations.

“There has been a rise of anti-Semitic hate crimes in our country,” Rep. Carolyn Maloney told reporters gathered inside her Upper East Side office.

Rep. Maloney wants cameras in graveyards.

Maloney also wants to expand anti-Semitism prevention programs and penalties for desecrators.

Maybe we should slow down for a minute…

The news conference came a day after the NYPD concluded that 42 fallen headstones at Washington Cemetery in Brooklyn were not caused by vandals.

It was mainly neglect that toppled the tombstones in Brooklyn, many of which have been lying on the ground for years.

Yet demagogues plunge ahead on momentum gained in part by erroneous claims that vandalism was to blame at Washington Cemetery, like this tweet by a New York State Assemblyman:

Despite findings by the police, some cling persistently to their belief that the damage there must have been caused by anti-Semitic vandals.

Presumably this really was the case at some other cemeteries, although you have to wonder how many. But so long as Washington Cemetery is used to justify more government or to prop up the phony post-election narrative regarding racism, it qualifies as a hate hoax.

On tips from Sean C and J. Hat tip: Mark Meckler.