Skokie rally seeks to take stand against antisemitism after alleged incidents at parks

SKOKIE, Ill. (WLS) -- People were taking a stand against antisemitism in Skokie Tuesday.

A community gathering to address hateful crimes began in the evening.

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The gathering aimed to bring people together in solidarity with their Jewish neighbors.

It was organized in response to two incidents this past weekend, during which Jewish youth reported being confronted with antisemitic language.

At Central Park in Skokie, where so much of the community goes to enjoy some free time, an incident over the weekend caused alarm for the Jewish community.

"Unfortunately, antisemitism has become normalized in society," said Alison Piure-Slovin, with the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

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On Saturday, Skokie police say three Jewish teens were playing basketball, when their opponents addressed them with antisemitic language. The confrontation became violent.

"One of the perpetrators punched one of the young Jewish men in the face," Slovin said.

This follows an incident on Friday at Lorel Park, where police say some Jewish girls were questioned by other girls about their religious identity. And those girls threw wood chips at them.

"What struck me most, what broke my heart was that they said they are worried and scared to go to our parks anymore," Slovin said

Rebecca Weininger is the senior regional director of the Anti-Defamation League Midwest, and says the Chicago Human Relations Commission found disturbing evidence that antisemitism is on the rise.

"Hate crimes against Jews in the city of Chicago went up 58%," Weininger said.

Skokie Mayor Ann Tennes says police are still investigating the incidents, but making people feel safe is their priority.

"Whether or not the ultimate classification based on the police work is a hate crime, we know that what was said was hateful, was antisemitic. And it was unacceptable," Tennes said.