Religious Leaders Stand Up Against Hate Crime

Hate crimes have become a frequent occurrence across the country recently, but local leaders say in the Mohawk Valley, people are choosing to embrace different religions, cultures and ethnicities. 

Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi and members of InterFaith Matters gathered at the Jewish Community Center in Utica Friday.

While there have been no bomb threats or desecrated graves in Utica, people worry they could be targeted next. But religious leaders say they refuse to let fear win.

"The opposite of that has to be love; it can't be hating more, because no good will come out of that," said Cassie Kail, rabbi of Temple Emanu-El. "The only thing that we can do is keep on living our lives, reach out to people, treat one another with respect."