Antisemitic vandalism at the Brooklyn Synagogue causes the cancellation of a political event organized by celebrities

The New York Police Department announced Friday that 20-year-old James Polite of Brooklyn was arrested in connection with antisemitic vandalism discovered in a synagogue the day before. This discovery had resulted in the cancellation Thursday of a political event organized by the co-star of "Broad City", Ilana Glazer.

The NYPD hate crimes division responded to vandalism complaints at Prospect Heights Union Temple on Thursday night after worshipers found hate speech, including "Kill all Jews," written in black marker Synagogue staircase, reports CBS New York. The suspect also drew the Puerto Rican flag and wrote "Free P.R." The temple was to host an interview with two local politicians led by comedian Ilana Glazer, but organizers of the protest decided to cancel their visit for security reasons.

"We will not accept this kind of activity in New York," said Detective Chief of Police New York Dermot Shea, calling the remarks "rather pejorative" and "generous hate" .

Police said Polite was seen on a surveillance video wearing a red suit jacket and using a black marker to write messages throughout the building before fleeing.

Vandalism occurs less than a week after 11 people were shot in a Pittsburgh synagogue in the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in US history. At the press conference, Shea said that hate-motivated crime in New York had increased by 1 percent in 2018, and antisemitic crimes, like the one on Thursday night, had increased in the last 28 days.

The city's police department has increased patrols in the synagogue and other places of worship. Synagogue leaders at Union Temple said Shabbat services would continue as planned on Friday night and Saturday morning.

"I came back from Pittsburgh Wednesday after visiting the community and saw the deep break-up of this community and what it was going through," said Rabbi Jon Leener. "And then coming back here and feeling in danger here is really disturbing."

A kindergarten that runs in the building was also closed on Friday.

"I'm horrified, I work at school here in kindergarten, there are kids in the building, and it's so upsetting," Janet Weeks said. CBS New York.

Glazer was scheduled to interview Senate candidates Andrew Gounardes of South Brooklyn and Jim Gaughran of Long Island in the Senate.

"The attack tonight, right here in a Brooklyn temple – painfully reminds us that anti-Semitism and prejudice are alive and well in our own community," wrote Gounardes in a statement released Thursday night. "More than ever, we have an obligation to reaffirm our commitment to tolerance and send a clear message that any individual or group that promotes violence and hatred is not the welcome to our city. "

Gaughran also denounced insults during a rally on Friday morning.

"It's a hate crime and I think it was important that they cancel the event so we can make sure everyone is protected." ", did he declare.