At least two protesters displayed Nazi symbols during an anti-vaccine protest outside a Jewish lawmaker’s office in the Bronx on Sunday.
One woman held a poster that included the image of a swastika and a man wore a yellow Star of David affixed to his jacket during the protest outside the Kingsbridge office of Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, according to photos provided by the legislator.
Dinowitz blasted the symbols as “repugnant and offensive” in a statement posted to Twitter.
“People are perfectly free to express their opinion on vaccines or any issue, but to openly display Nazi symbols outside the office of a Jewish legislator is despicable,” he said.
The protesters rallied against a state bill sponsored by Dinowitz that would require all New York students to be vaccinated in order to attend school.
The rally was reportedly organized by former Westchester County Executive and gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino.
Astorino said in a tweet Sunday night that he was unaware of the symbols.
“I had no idea until I saw this photo. If I’d seen it I’d have told them to take the sign down. No comparison to those atrocities & yes, I’ve always condemned anti-Semitism,” Astorino wrote.
In an earlier interview with News 12 The Bronx, Astorino explained why he’s not on board with the proposed children vaccine mandate.
“Not only is it too soon — it’s completely unwarranted at this point,” Astorino told the outlet. “The numbers, the data, according to the CDC and worldwide, don’t support it.”
Dinowitz noted how several vaccine mandates are already in place for children attending school — and how mandates are a part of everyday life.
“The fact that children have to get the vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella, etc. — that’s a mandate. You have to wear your seatbelt in your car. That is a mandate. You’re driving on the right side of the car — mandate,” Dinowitz told News 12.
