NY Health Dept. Pulls Truck Billboard In 5 Towns Accused Of 'Bigotry'

CEDARHURST, NY — The state's Department of Health parked a truck with a large billboard in the Five Towns this week encouraging Orthodox Jews to get vaccinated.

However, Assemblyman Ari Brown (R-Cedarhurst) expressed anger by what he called the "department’s subtle bigotry."

The sign, displayed across one full side of the truck, said: "Polio is spreading in Israel. Get immunized now."

It was parked Monday in a parking lot at the kosher supermarket Gourmet Glatt, according to Brown's statement. He sent a letter to Associate Health Commissioner Sam Miller.

"I will fight antisemitism and will not be silent whether it’s from a government official, media, academic institution, or whomever. I would appreciate an expeditious response," he wrote.

The lawmaker did hear back from the health department.

"He couldn't have been nicer and apologetic," Brown told Patch. "He knew there was a mistake. He was kind. Right away, he pulled it back."

Brown said the sign was removed, but not because of any pressure.

"You heard in his voice, sincerity," the assemblyman said. "He was a gentleman."

In a statement, Miller told Patch:

"After hearing feedback that mobile van ads intended to reach New Yorkers in their communities could be interpreted as blaming the communities themselves for the spread of polio, the Department immediately pulled those ads."

The health department said the impetus for the billboard was four recent polio cases in Israel, including a paralyzed child.

"With Passover near and travel to Israel expected to increase, the Department also launched a public awareness campaign this month reminding New Yorkers planning travel to Israel to protect themselves and their families by getting immunized," Miller wrote.

Brown said it's not an isolated issue about one message on a truck.

"Governor Cuomo did the exact same thing with COVID. He created these red zones and if you looked at the red zones, they were only around the Jewish areas," Brown said. "So, there's an extra heightened sensitivity here."