A series of attacks on the Polish consulate in the USA. There is a reaction from New York councilors
In a statement issued on Saturday, councilors Phil Wong, Virginia Maloney, Lincoln Restler, Harvey Epstein and Frank Morano emphasized that attacking a diplomatic facility twice in just three days is “unacceptable” and requires a decisive response from law enforcement.
— Poland is one of America's closest allies, and Americans of Polish descent have made an invaluable contribution to the development of New York's neighborhoods, institutions and civic life. These acts constitute an attack on the diplomatic institution and on the values of mutual respect and international friendship, the councilors said.
They assured that they were in contact with Consul General Mateusz Sakowicz and the New York Police, demanding a full explanation of the case and holding the perpetrators accountable.
Two incidents in a few days
The NYPD Pulaski Association, which brings together police officers of Polish origin, also took a position on Facebook. It recalled that this was the second similar incident in three days. The organization said it remains in contact with the consulate and supports efforts to end the “shameful acts of vandalism.”
So far, the police have not classified the incidents as “bias incidents”, i.e. acts motivated by prejudice, Polish media report. On Friday morning, red paint was thrown at, among others: the door and a fragment of the facade of the consulate, a camera at the entrance, a peephole and “Karski's bench”. A similar attack took place on Wednesday.
Consul General Mateusz Sakowicz described the incidents as acts of vandalism and noted in an interview with PAP that there are no grounds to see them as a manifesto or political motivation. He assured that the safety of the facility is a priority and the matter is being dealt with by the relevant services. Some of the paint has already been removed, with city crews expected to clean the rest.
