In recent years, and more so in recent months, the world has seen a troubling rise in radicalized antisemitic protests that have, in many cases, crossed a dangerous line, evolving from demonstrations of hate speech into outright rioting. While free speech and peaceful protest are protected in democratic societies, when these demonstrations become breeding grounds for violence, intimidation and destruction, they shift from exercising rights to violating the rights of others. The line between protester and rioter is crossed when an ideology of hate becomes a physical threat, endangering not just Jewish communities but the broader fabric of society.

One of the most alarming aspects of antisemitic rioters is their ability to hide behind the guise of political protest (and masks), using social and political tensions as a platform to unleash bigotry. Protests that begin with chants, signs and rhetoric have quickly and strategically devolved into aggression when individuals, emboldened by group anonymity, engage in physical violence, vandalism and intimidation. This was evident in recent events where antisemitic slogans quickly escalated into attacks on synagogues, Jewish and non-Jewish businesses, and even individual members of the Jewish community. When this line is crossed, these gatherings are no longer about expressing dissent; they become dangerous riots rooted in hatred and violence.

The consequences of such radicalized riots are far-reaching. They create a climate of fear and insecurity, particularly for Jewish individuals who are targeted. But this threat extends beyond the Jewish community. When hate-driven riots are allowed to occur, they embolden other extremist groups to use violence as a means of expressing their views, undermining public safety and trust in civil discourse. The transition from protest to riot occurs when ideology is weaponized—when it is no longer about speech, but about control, dominance and the physical or emotional harm of others. It is at this point that society must draw a firm line, recognizing that what began as a protest has transformed into an assault on the very principles of safety, respect and human dignity.

This shift is not just about broken windows or torched buildings; it’s about broken lives, fractured communities and the erosion of social cohesion. Radicalized antisemitic protesters who become rioters are not simply voicing grievances—they are enacting violence and perpetuating a cycle of hatred that threatens the well-being of all. It is crucial that law enforcement, civic leaders and society as a whole take decisive action when protests cross this line. Accountability, clear legal consequences and a united stance against antisemitism in all its forms are essential to ensuring that our streets remain safe spaces for peaceful protest, not battlegrounds for hate.

I call for our township officials to model the efforts of Nassau County’s County Executive Bruce Blakeman and introduce a law banning masks and facial coverings in public.

I call for our township officials to clarify the meaning of civil disobedience when they reference and support it at meetings.

I call for township officials to be held accountable when they reference laws and violations of laws by the Jewish community.

I call for everyone to call these demonstrators what they are. Those who gather outside our synagogues and on our municipal green are not protesters exercising their First Amendment rights, they are rioters whose goal is to violate the rights of others. This flies in the face of the intentions of our founding fathers.

I call for our Teaneck residents to register to vote and show at the polls at the upcoming election. Now more than ever, your vote for Town Council is crucial in deciding the direction of our beloved Teaneck.

Heidi Fuchs

Teaneck