The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the two-year sentence imposed on a New Jersey man for sending racist, antisemitic and anti-Muslim threats to schools, synagogues and people in 2022.
Nikolay Levinson, of Palisades Park, reportedly sent threatening letters to victims in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and the greater New York City area, according to a Wednesday statement from the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Nikolay Levinson, of Palisades Park, sent threatening letters to victims in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and the greater New York City area, according to a Wednesday statement from the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Levinson, 41, was sentenced Wednesday to 26 months in prison after pleading guilty before a US district judge, prosecutors said. He was jailed before for sending similar letters.
SEE: Bergen County Man Mailed 41 Racist, Anti-Semitic Letters: Prosecutors
“The actions of Nikolay Levinson are frightening. Hateful sentiments and threats can easily turn into violent action. This is what we all fear” said CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut. “No one deserves to be subjected to bigoted intimidation. Our elected officials and leaders must do more to educate the public and think creatively on how our society can reduce the concerning levels of hate and racism.”
CAIR’s most recent civil rights report showed the highest number of complaints it has ever received in its 30-year history.
SEE: New CAIR Civil Rights Report Reveals Highest Number of Complaints in Group’s 30-Year History
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Interim Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com