Olivia Lynch of Brooklyn, New York, was caught on camera tearing down posters of hostages held by Hamas
Lynch is a native of Portland, Oregon
Nearly half of New York City’s Jewish population lives in Brooklyn
Olivia Lynch, from Brooklyn, New York, was caught on camera tearing down posters of hostages held by Hamas. Amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, anti-Semitism around the world is constantly on the rise, resulting in hate crimes. The video of him removing the posters went viral on Twitter.
Who is Olivia Lynch?
Olivia Lynch is an artist and educator from Portland, Oregon, living in Brooklyn, New York, and in her fourth year of teaching in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. Lynch is a native of Portland, Oregon. When I asked why she tore down the posters, she replied, “To hell with propaganda.”
According to the Wild Ferns Nature Program website, its combination of art and teaching allows children at Wild Ferns to explore their creativity.
Video: Meet Olivia Lynch from Brooklyn, NY tearing down posters of hostages currently being held by #HamasISIS, including men women and children. The 1400 that Hamas killed included beheaded babies, families tied together – burnt to crisp, and raped girls. pic.twitter.com/a4b6gQqGoJ
— Corrected Media (@correctedmedia) November 5, 2023
Nearly half of New York City’s Jewish population lives in Brooklyn. Lynch’s action in removing the posters sparked controversy, seen as a form of protest. This action took place against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which resulted in a staggering number of casualties. According to the latest statement of the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 9,061 Palestinians, mostly women and children, lost their lives and more than 32,000 people were injured in the clashes.
On the Israeli side, on the other hand, approximately 1,400 people, most of whom were non-combatants, lost their lives in Hamas’s first attack. As a result, the United States has witnessed a significant increase in antisemitism, especially in the wake of the Israel-Gaza conflict. FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized that approximately 60 percent of religion-based hate crimes in the country target Jewish individuals. Similarly, Britain and France also reported increased antisemitic incidents.
As the crisis continues, discussions about the delicate balance between freedom of expression and hate speech have gained importance. Simultaneously ensuring the safety and well-being of students and communities has become an increasingly urgent concern.
