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Cuomo Proposes Domestic Terrorism Law After Attack

Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks to reporters at Ramapo Town Hall on Sunday, December 29th, 2019.
Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks to reporters at Ramapo Town Hall on Sunday, December 29th, 2019.

Following a stabbing incident during a Hanukkah celebration Saturday in the New York City suburb of Monsey, a suspect is in custody.

Police in Ramapo said Sunday morning they are charging 37-year-old Grafton Thomas of Greenwood Lake with five counts of attempted murder and one count of burglary.

Speaking at a press conference Sunday morning, Governor Andrew Cuomo called the alleged anti-Semitic attack the 13th such incident since December 8th in New York.

In addition to stepping up law enforcement, the Democrat also called for a new state law to classify perpetrators of such crimes as domestic terrorists.  

“And just because they don’t come from another country, doesn’t mean that they are not terrorists. And they should be prosecuted as domestic terrorists. Because that’s what they are. And I want this state to be the first state to have a domestic terrorism law to express how ignorant this is, how intolerant it is, and how criminal it is,” said Cuomo.

The next legislative session begins on January 8th.

NOTE: Police initially identified the susepct as Thomas Grafton.

Lucas Willard is a reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011.
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