"F*** the Jews": pogrom during prayer in New York
The US Department of Justice has filed federal charges against 46-year-old Larry Montes from the Bronx for attacking worshippers at the Central Synagogue in Manhattan. The man burst in during evening prayers, damaged candlesticks, struck a 63-year-old congregant and a guard, while shouting anti-Semitic slurs. During interrogation, he stated he acted "for religious motives." He faces up to 20 years in prison.
Federal charges have been filed in New York against 46-year-old Larry Montes from the Bronx. He is accused of two hate crimes and damaging religious property resulting in injury to a person. The incident occurred last Friday during evening prayers at the Reform Central Synagogue in Manhattan, where about 375 people were present. Montes burst into the building, damaged ritual silver candlesticks, struck a 63-year-old female congregant, and attacked a guard while shouting insults. Already in handcuffs, he used a racist slur against a 65-year-old Black security officer, spat in his face, and headbutted him. During interrogation, Montes stated: "F*** the Jews... this is racism" and "I will never be associated with dirty synagogues." He explained his actions as "completely a racial issue" and "for religious motives." Each hate crime charge carries up to 10 years in prison, and property damage up to 20 years. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and prosecutor Jamie McDonald condemned the attack. Central Synagogue is one of New York's oldest synagogues, built in 1872. The congregation returned to prayer the next morning.