ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Leaders at Cornell, in Ithaca, and Tompkins County are speaking out against hateful and violent comments made online over the weekend.

Local, state, and federal investigative agencies are working to figure out who made the comments. The mayor of Ithaca and chair of the Tompkins County Legislature have addressed the incident.

“I condemn in the strongest terms the threats of violence directed at members of the Jewish community at Cornell this past weekend. Acts of violence or intimidation directed at anyone in our community are completely unacceptable. These threats are abhorrent to a city that prides itself on tolerance and coexistence of people from all places, backgrounds, and viewpoints. People have the right to express their views and practice their religion. It is our responsibility to ensure that everyone can do so safely. Attacks on people, businesses, or any institution within our city will not be tolerated. The Ithaca Police Department is providing support as it can to the Cornell Police Department, FBI, and other law enforcement agencies involved in investigating these threats and bringing the perpetrators to justice. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Governor Hochul who visited Cornell today to demonstrate her support for the Cornell Jewish community.”

-Mayor Laura Lewis, City of Ithaca

“Tompkins County condemns the hateful and targeted posts threatening the Jewish students at Cornell University. Antisemitism, violent threats, and hate speech of any kind are intolerable. 

All students in our community deserve safe learning and living environments regardless of ethnicity or creed. Targeted threats toward Jewish students are unacceptable and cruel. 

Tompkins County commends the law enforcement agencies working diligently to keep people safe and to investigate these threats of violence.”

-Shawna Black, Chair, Tompkins County Legislature