Statement From SWC Regarding Chicago Bus Incident

NOVEMBER 10, 2022, CHICAGO - The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a leading global Jewish human rights NGO dedicated toimparting the lessons of the Nazi Holocaust and to combatting anti-Semitism, has expressed its alarm over an anti-Semitic hate crime that occurred in Chicago on November 9, 2022. A schoolbus was dropping off Jewish elementary students from a local Orthodox Jewish school, in the West Rogers Park neighborhood. At one stop, four men jumped onto the bus, hurled anti-Semiticslurs, and performed the Heil Hitler salute at terrorized children. Eventually, the bus driver succeeded in forcing the four attackers off the bus.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) has been in close contact with the Chicago Police Department and a number of the parents of thechildren affected by this frightening anti-Semitic encounter.

“The Simon Wiesenthal Center is urging anyone with information about the anti-Semitic incident to contact the Chicago PD or theMidwest offices of the Simon Wiesenthal Center,” said Alison Pure Slovin, SWC Midwest Director, adding, “This shocking incident took place on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Nazi pogromthat destroyed almost all synagogues across Germany in 1938. Many members of the Jewish community have family who lived through those horrors.”

“The Chicago Commission on Human Relations reported that hate crimes targeting Jews are up 75% in the city ofChicago. But for our community, it is not just statistics, but the fear and anger such incidents generate,” Slovin added. She noted that members of the City Council of Chicago recentlypassed a resolution reaffirming their commitment to the Jewish community in the face of growing anti-Semitism.

For more information, please contact Alison Pure Slovin, Director, Midwest Region, Simon Wiesenthal Center at 708-714-0749 oraslovin@wiesenthal.com,

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The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization numbering over 400.000 members. Itholds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).