The administration under President Trump has called on the NYPD to intensify measures against what it refers to as an “organized and unlawful harassment campaign” targeting employees of the US mission to the United Nations, threatening federal troop involvement if necessary.
“Protesters are frequently and vocally confronting USUN personnel during their commutes, using hostile language and derogatory terms such as ‘fascists,’ ‘baby killers,’ and ‘Nazis’ in an aggressive manner,” stated Craig Goldstein, who oversees regional security for the US Mission, in a communication addressed to the deputy inspector of Manhattan’s 17th Precinct, which supervises the UN area.
Goldstein articulated the urgency for the NYPD to take “immediate and appropriate actions” to mitigate the ongoing harassment, intimidation, and disruption faced by its officers and employees in the letter obtained by The Post.
“If urgent and effective measures are not implemented, we are fully equipped to involve federal law enforcement to ensure the safety and protection of our personnel from harassment, abuse, and intimidation,” he warned.
Though Goldstein did not specify the exact nature of the protests, there has been a notable increase in anti-Israel demonstrations close to the US Mission in recent months.
This trend became particularly prominent leading up to speeches from global leaders, including President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly last week.
Goldstein referenced instances where the demonstrators lacked proper permits and may have infringed upon various laws during their protests.
“On September 18, participants in the demonstration trailed our staff for over a block, encircling them, yelling aggressively, and using air horns as they crossed First Avenue,” Goldstein detailed.
Additional accounts from employees indicated that protesters filmed them as they entered and exited their workplace and targeted them on camera by name.
“Such behaviors contravene legal regulations and pose evident security threats,” Goldstein emphasized. “Moreover, these protesters have engaged in the unlawful vandalism of US government properties.”
Goldstein noted that one of the Mission’s bollards was painted red, and prior to the installation of NYPD bike racks, cow’s blood was smeared on the mission’s front window, accompanied by graffiti on the mission’s exterior.
Goldstein asserted that protests taking place “in the road and adjacent crosswalks” should no longer be tolerated, suggesting that recent arrests of offenders have proven insufficient.
The NYPD has yet to respond to a request for comment from The Post.
