Since the election of Donald Trump, our nation has seen a disturbing rise in Hate Crimes of all sorts.

Vandalism and violent attacks in churches and synagogues, mass shootings in LGBTQ-friendly nightlife establishments, harassment and other crimes are becoming disturbingly common, and we need a District Attorney ready to use the full power of the law to fight back.

Here in Queens, with the rich diversity that defines our Borough, the impact of these types of attacks is magnified many times over. We have felt the bitter sting of bias-related violence against our neighbors of different faiths, ethnicities, sexual orientation and gender identity right here in our own Borough, and that makes it personal. As our Borough President and a lifelong Queens resident, Melinda knows that we need to do more. She has stood side-by-side with so many who have been a victim of hate crimes to offer support and solidarity. She’s spoken out loudly against discrimination of all kinds, promoted diversity and hosted Hate Crimes forums with the current District Attorney.

As our DA, Melinda will make hate crime prevention and prosecution a top priority. She will reach out to impacted communities to build awareness of hate crime laws and how to use them, and bring a new focus to hate crime prosecution within the office.