Brooklyn, NY – Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Council Member Letitia James today denounced death threats that were recently mailed to Judge Diana Johnson and her family. They were joined by Council Member Bill de Blasio, Council Member Albert Vann, State Assemblyman Karim Camara, State Senator Eric Adams, Reverend Clarence Norman Sr., and other community leaders.
“I am very sad that hate and ignorance have once again been directed at Judge Johnson,” said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “We can never let such an act take root in our city. We must stand up every time and send the message that we will not stand for hate and the destruction that comes along with it, not in our city. I hope whoever is responsible for this action is brought to justice.”
“This threatening incident cannot be taken lightly,” said Council Member Letitia James. “Judge Diana Johnson has been a victim of a threat once before, and this second time includes words of hate against her family. The priority of law enforcement will be protection, to investigate the crime and then utilize all possible resources. I urge anyone with information about this case to please come forward.”
“I am disgusted to see that hatred and bigotry have reared their heads again in New York,” said Council Member David Yassky. “Today, New Yorkers must stand together to reject such hateful intimidation. We will say it as many times as it takes – hatred and bigotry will not be tolerated in this city.”
“This most recent incident against Judge Johnson is deplorable and we as members of this community can not stand for it,” said Council Member Bill de Blasio. “I urge the police and the DA’s office to move quickly and forcefully with an investigation.”
“None of the leaders of Brooklyn will allow hate crimes to exist in our communities,” said Council Member Albert Vann. “Justice must be served without fear, without trepidation. We will never all these acts to prevail in our city.”
Diana Johnson is Brooklyn’s first African-American Surrogate Court Judge. In January, racial slurs against Judge Johnson were spray-painted in a Brooklyn Surrogate Court elevator. According to the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force, hate crimes have gone up by 20% in New York City in recent years.
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