Neo-Nazi 'Day Of Hate' Sets NYC On Edge

NEW YORK CITY — An upcoming "National Day of Hate" planned by neo-Nazi groups put many New Yorkers on edge, but police and experts stress they haven't seen credible threats.

Warnings about the antisemitic "Day of Hate" scheduled for Saturday spread this week among Jewish media outlets and local community members.

Many posts online included a leaked draft of an NYPD alert warning of "domestic violent extremists" planning direct actions, but officials have since stressed to Patch that there are no specific threats to the city.

"While there are no identified threats to New York City, out of an abundance of caution, the Department will deploy additional resources to sensitive locations, including houses of worship, throughout the weekend," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"We urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant, and if you see anything suspicious, please call 1-888–NYC-SAFE."

The so-called Day of Hate began with an online post by a tiny neo-Nazi group in Iowa, a spokesperson with the Anti-Defamation League told Patch.

White supremacist groups have since circulated it online on social media sites such as Telegram that are often used by them, the spokesperson said.

One such Telegram message is shared on the leaked NYPD alert.

"Shock the masses with banner drops, stickers, fliers, and graffiti," the message states, in one of its few stretches that doesn't include overt hateful language.

The ADL spokesperson, like NYPD officials, stressed that any real threat is unlikely. Any antisemitic events in New York City likely will be similar to the small group of neo-Nazis who protested a Broadway play this week, the spokesperson said.

“We’re not aware of any threat of violence or anything,” he said.

“This appears to be a national day of Nazi propaganda, which is unfortunate in 2023."

The "Day of Hate" likely will fizzle or be small, but that doesn't mean it is a hoax, the ADL spokesperson said.

For a short time Thursday, Council Member James F. Gennaro appeared to cast doubt on the event's veracity when he posted on Facebook that the NYPD flyer was "fabricated." But he later posted a clarification that his office was mistakenly told that because the flyer, in fact, was a leaked draft.

Regardless, Gennaro in both messages stressed that his constituents in Queens will be protected.

"Per my request, there will still be additional patrol and police presence near synagogues in the district this Saturday," he wrote.