NYPD Cracks Down on Another Large Jewish Funeral in Brooklyn, Stoking Tensions

NBC New York details the rising tensions between the NYPD and the Hasidic Jewish community in New York. The article features a video from social media showing a funeral procession for a rabbi of the Hasidic community being stopped by the NYPD. The video shows the NYPD in pursuit of the minivan carrying the body of the rabbi. The funeral was for Rabbi Chaim Mertz, who passed away due to COVID-19. The article gives the statements made by Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York regarding funerals in the Jewish community in addition to his support of the NYPD in enforcing social distancing policies. Concerns over religious discrimination arising from the mayor’s statements are detailed in the article