‘We will not be intimidated!’
Brooklynites march against anti-Semitism after Bay Ridge attack
BY BEN BRACHFELD
Scores of southern Brooklynites
marched in Bensonhurst
on Jan. 2 to denounce
anti-Semitism in response to a
physical attack on two 21-yearold
Jewish men, allegedly
because they were wearing
sweatshirts bearing the name
of Israel’s military.
The march, organized by
new Councilmember Inna
Vernikov, brought dozens of
people out to 86th Street and
Bay Parkway in solidarity
with Blake Zavadsky and Ilan
Kaganovich, who say they
were physically assaulted and
called slurs on Dec. 26 while
attempting to shop for sneakers
86th Street Foot Locker in
Bay Ridge. They say it was because
Zavadsky wore a sweatshirt
bearing the insignia of
the Israel Defense Forces, the
Jewish state’s controversial
military.
“They didn’t like my sweatshirt
so they said I have fi ve
seconds to take it off,” Zavadsky,
a senior at the College
of Staten Island who lives in
Brighton Beach, told Brooklyn
COURIER L 14 IFE, JANUARY 7-13, 2022
Paper. “He then called us
‘dirty Jews’ and asked us ‘what
are we doing in his neighborhood
— 21 years living in the
United States, I never knew we
had separate neighborhoods.”
After repeatedly refusing
the demands, Zavadsky says
the attacker punched him in
the face and poured iced coffee
on him before fl eeing. Kaganovich
was not attacked,
but was told by the attacker’s
accomplice that if he intervened,
he would be hit, Zavadsky
said.
The NYPD has released
surveillance footage and images
of the suspect but no arrests
have been made.
Vernikov, a Jewish Republican
representing Sheepshead
Bay, Brighton Beach,
Manhattan Beach, and part
of Midwood, told ralliers she
was disheartened to see such
crimes take place considering
that Jews came to America in
the fi rst place to escape persecution,
as her own family did
when they left Ukraine for
Brooklyn.
“This is why our families
brought us to America, and
this is exactly what we’re seeing
happening in this country
again,” said Vernikov, who
tested positive for COVID-19
last week but tested negative
before the rally and was
cleared to attend by a doctor,
according to her spokesperson.
“We fl ed to this country
for freedom, for safety, to be
able to simply walk the streets
and not be afraid to be a Jew.
To wear whatever garments
we want, to freely practice our
religion.”
“We stand here today with
one united message,” she continued.
“We will not be intimidated!”
Vernikov was joined at the
rally’s helm by Zavadsky and
Kaganovich, as well as fi rebrand
former Assemblymember
Dov Hikind, who was one
of her earliest and most prominent
campaign backers. Hikind
led the group in chants as
they attempted to drown out a
large contingent of counterprotesters
mostly aligned with
Neturei Karta, an anti-Zionist
Orthodox group, instructing
them to “sound like 100,000
people.” The group proceeded
into chants like “Jewish blood
is not cheap” and “Am Yisrael
chai,” which translates to “the
Jewish people live.”
Also present was new Coney
Island Councilmember
Ari Kagan, who said he’s
been in contact with Brooklyn
District Attorney Eric
Gonzalez about the case.
City Councilmembers Inna Vernikov and Ari Kagan at a rally against anti-
Semitism on Jan. 2. Councilmember Ari Kagan