San Rafael, CA – More than 350 people participated in an online forum February 4 to discuss hate crimes, racism, and antisemitism in Marin County. The conversation was hosted by Marin County District Attorney Lori E. Frugoli and featured a frank talk about a November 2020 case involving a person placing swastika stickers at several downtown Fairfax locations.
District Attorney Lori E. Frugoli, shown speaking to the Marin County Board of Supervisors before the pandemic, thanked the hundreds of people who participated in the online hate crime discussion on February 4.Many residents wanted to understand why charges were not filed after a January news release. Frugoli apologized to the community and explained some of the difficulties in prosecuting hate crimes during the forum, which can be viewed on the DA’s website. It is also on YouTube in English and Spanish.
Reflecting on the forum, which lasted for 2.5 hours, Frugoli thanked the participants and said she was grateful for the views shared.
“This was a positive forum with brilliant thoughts and ideas on how to continue to move forward together to build a safer and inclusive community,” she said. “We thank those who took the time to join us and look forward to future community conversations on this and other important topics that affect our community.”
Invited participants included:
- Rabbi Susan Leider of Congregation Kol Shofar
- Teveia Barnes Sankin, a Tiburon resident and member of Congregation Kol Shofar who also represented Congregation Rodef Sholom and the Gan Ha Lev Jewish Community of San Geronimo
- Seth Brysk, the Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League
- Alexandra Rosen, a Fairfax resident speaking on behalf of Fairfax Racial Equity and Social Justice
- Morgan Blum Schneider, Director of Jewish Family and Children’s Services Holocaust Center
- Patrice O’Neill, founder of the Not In Your Town movement
- Noah Griffin, a Tiburon resident, author, historian, and one of the leaders in changing the name of the Dixie School District
- Craig D. Fair, Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s San Francisco Division
Those interested in continuing participation in online discussions are welcome to join Not in Our Town Novato’s virtual speaker series. Session dates are February 11, February 25, March 11, and March 25. Learn more at the NOIT Novato Zoom registration page. Also, residents of San Rafael may check with the NOIT group there.