To the Cardozo Community:

Our country is experiencing an increase in attacks motivated by hatred, bigotry and racism that threaten the welfare of our nation. As part of the legal community, we have an obligation and a moral responsibility to do what we can to ensure that the legal system works to prevent such attacks and provides meaningful responses when they occur. As a law school community, we must support one another and recognize the pain felt by our friends and colleagues who are traumatized by these attacks.

Today we grieve for the families of the victims of the monstrous and hateful attack in Buffalo, New York that left 10 people dead. The 18-year-old killer deliberately targeted Black citizens who were shopping for groceries in their neighborhood supermarket. The killer is alleged to have intentionally expressed his motivation, which was grounded in the white supremacist rhetoric of “replacement theory.” This abhorrent conspiracy “theory” has been used to target Black, non-white immigrants, Asian and Jewish people and is moving from the fringes into mainstream thinking. It is dangerous and malicious, and we all must shoulder the responsibility for speaking out against it.

We understand that the tragedy in Buffalo is causing deep fear and trauma for many in our community, in particular our Black students, staff and faculty. Others in our community are reeling from recent violent hate crimes committed in New York City against members of other minority groups. We are here for you. If you need additional support or simply wish to speak to someone about how you are feeling, please reach out to our dedicated staff in the Office of Student Services and Advising.

I encourage our entire community to offer support and comfort to one another in the aftermath of yesterday’s horrific tragedy.

We must stand strong, together, against hate-inspired violence of any kind.

Melanie Leslie

Dean and Samuel Belkin Professor of Law