In a collective effort, governors from ten states and the territory of Puerto Rico have penned a letter addressed to leaders in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. The letter passionately advocates for an augmentation of funds allocated to the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This program, originally set to provide $305 million this year, is designed to assist nonprofits in safeguarding their facilities against potential attacks.
Michigan’s Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, expressed the shared sentiment, stating, “My fellow governors and I are calling for an increase in funding for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program so that we can ensure the safety of people facing rising threats and violence, particularly within Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities, and their places of worship.”
This appeal resonates with previous calls from national Democratic leaders to boost the program’s funding, primarily to address the growing concerns of potential hate crimes linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. In response to these calls, President Joe Biden recently requested an additional $200 million for the security grant program through a supplemental budget proposal.
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U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took to social media to announce his request for an even more substantial increase, advocating for an extra $1 billion to be allocated to the grant program. He emphasized that this funding would be used to “counter acts of hate targeting places of worship and gathering, such as schools, religious communities, and senior centers,” among others. Several other U.S. senators, including Jacky Rosen of Nevada, have echoed this sentiment and made similar requests.
The letter, co-signed by Democratic governors from Wisconsin, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, and Puerto Rico, earnestly requests “swift consideration” of the funding increase “in light of ongoing concerns within our states and territories.”
The letter provides examples of recent hate crimes, including the tragic stabbing of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Chicago and the arrest of an individual in Michigan who expressed intentions to harm Palestinians. These incidents underscore the increasing fears of violence, which often follow a pattern of rising hate crimes against Jewish and Muslim communities whenever conflict flares up in the Middle East or when Americans are involved or taken hostage.
The letter concludes with a poignant message: “Vigilance comes at a cost, and we must ensure our constituencies threatened by violence have the robust support they need to stay safe. We must secure the safety of our homeland, especially at its heart—where people gather to find comfort and identity in their faiths, cultures, and beliefs.”
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In its recent annual report, the FBI reported a 7% increase in hate crimes, with a total of 11,634 cases in 2022 compared to the previous year. Anti-Jewish attacks were the second-most reported hate crime, following anti-Black incidents, with 1,124 reported cases. Additionally, the report documented 158 reported incidents of anti-Muslim attacks and 92 cases of anti-Arab attacks.
With increasing threats, states across the U.S. are taking proactive measures to enhance security. In New York, state education officials have announced the release of $45 million in existing funds for school safety equipment for non-public schools. This initiative aims to address the rise in antisemitism and anti-Muslim threats, ensuring that schools, including Islamic and Jewish institutions, can access these funds promptly.
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Khadijah Jean Pryce, the head of the Islamic Cultural Center School in Manhattan, welcomed this development, stating, “As our communities face increased threats and violence in our schools statewide, these funds will help ensure safety and peace of mind for our students, staff, and families.”
