ATXKind

03/19/2024

We are glad to see the city’s efforts to track hate incidents moving forward with the launch of an interactive dashboard. As these incidents rise globally, nationally and locally, it’s a crucial step, and one we’ve been pushing for since the fall of 2021.

The City of Austin launched a new dashboard aimed at bringing attention to hate crime numbers in the city.

02/06/2024

We condemn this attack and call on the city of Austin to fulfill the promise it made more than two years ago to strengthen its response to hate here in our midst.

APD said it is up to the prosecuting office to enhance an offense to a "bias-motivated crime," not the police department.

12/14/2023

This Texas Tribune investigation documents what we’ve long known. Many city systems for tracking and reporting bias incidents and hate crimes are inadequate or non-existent.

Austin recently added additional tools to its 311 scripts and its online reporting portal to capture hate crime data. We are hopeful these changes have started to make a dent, but more systemic change is needed.

If you agree, message the council via https://www.austintexas.gov/email/all-council-members and ask for a more accurate and robust tracking system, and more public education around how and why to report.
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/14/texas-hate-crimes-data/

A Texas Tribune analysis of hate crime data found that 82% of Texas law enforcement agencies that report to the FBI tracked no hate crimes last year. However, one suburban North Texas police agency is creating a new model of collecting hate crime data.

12/06/2023

Happy to see more and more Central Texans joining this campaign. We are proud to partner with Project Menorah and Shalom Austin to spread the word!

Shalom Austin is proud to partner with Project Menorah, a grassroots movement encouraging our allies to place a Menorah in their windows for the holidays to stand with their Jewish friends and neighbors who might not feel safe to do so.

Print out a menorah using the template found here: projectmenorah.com OR pick up your free paper menorah at the Dell JCC welcome desk before Hanukkah begins at sundown on Thursday, December 7!

12/04/2023

Project Menorah is a grassroots effort to encourage non-Jews to include a menorah in their holiday decorations, to support Jewish families who might otherwise not feel safe to do so during a rise in antisemitism. Here in Austin we know all too well what it’s like to have your house targeted, with hateful flyers dropped on porches just weeks ago. Find out more and join the effort at www.projectmenorah.com — Hanukkah starts Thursday night!

11/21/2023

Getting reports that once again several neighborhoods in Austin have been targeted with hateful antisemitic flyers. It's extremely important to report these to the city, which this summer launched an effort aimed at easier reporting and tracking of these incidents. Quickest way: Dial 311 and state you are reporting a hate incident.

10/16/2023

Our hearts break for six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume, brutally murdered yesterday because of his religion. His mother was also stabbed multiple times. The killer cited the Israel-Hamas war as motivation for this senseless crime. We must stand firm against rising Islamophobia along with all forms of hate. “[Wadea] paid the price for the atmosphere of hate and otherisation and dehumanisation that frankly I think we are seeing here in the United States.”

A mother and son in Illinois were allegedly targeted because of their faith and conflict in the Middle East.

10/12/2023

What happened to the people in Israel has deeply affected us — as Jews, as mothers, as daughters, and as humans. The atrocities that took place are hard to imagine and extremely painful to put into words. We have family and friends in Israel who were directly impacted by the terroristic acts of Hamas. Our hearts ache.

Hamas has now shared propaganda calling for violence against Jewish communities around the world, specifically tomorrow on October 13. We encourage you to exercise increased vigilance over the next days. Report any suspicious activities IMMEDIATELY to 311 or 911. Our best advice: follow your instincts.

We are thankful for support other communities in Austin have shown the Jewish community over the past days. 🙏

09/23/2023

“If it's graffiti one day, it can be something more severe the next day. And so we can't just dismiss something that seems like a minor incident.” Thanks to FOX 7 Austin for including ATXKind in its coverage of recent antisemitic incidents at UT Austin.

UTPD and West Campus ambassadors are expanding patrols through the weekend after multiple antisemitic incidents occurred on or near campus over the past week. The events occurred during the Jewish High Holidays.

09/21/2023

This new report amplifies what ATXKind has been saying since October 2021, when white supremacists dropped antisemitic banners from a MoPac overpass. Incidents are increasing and affecting all communities, including our LGBTQ+, Black, Hispanic, AAPI, Muslim and Jewish neighbors. They must be tracked accurately and publicly as part of an effort to prevent escalation.

The report blames an “alarming rise in extremist ideology and activity” on white supremacist and anti-LGBTQ+ groups that are active or headquartered in Texas.

08/27/2023

Our hearts go out to families in Jacksonville. This was a hate crime, committed by a racist shooter who targeted Black people and had a sw****ka carved into his weapon. We’ve long said that hate unchecked only grows, and we’re saddened at this latest incident that claimed three lives.

The shooter, a white man, killed three people after writing messages expressing hatred for Black people. He killed himself after opening fire in a dollar store.