For three days, demonstrators clashed in the streets of Crown Heights, when, from August 19-21, 1991, racial tension gave way to violence, looting and destruction of homes and property. What ensued were riots which resulted in the death of Yeshiva student Yankel Rosenbaum. One of the events, a festival, has been criticized by relatives of the Jewish student as being insensitive and trivializing what happened.
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Riots broke out after two 7-year-old children of Guyanese immigrants were struck by a vehicle in a motorcade for a leader of a Jewish sect.
Community members gathered Sunday to remember the Crown Heights riots of 1991.
“We can not rewrite history”, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik said.
Cato was accidentally struck and killed by an Orthodox Jewish man driving a motorcycle.
The neighborhood is holding a series of anniversary events Sunday as part of “One Crown Heights”.
Devorah Halberstam, who helped coordinate the events, said she realized “there are deep and painful memories and on this day they resurface”.
“Let our children know that the real signs of improvement is when children are able to come together and build together”, Adams said. About 50 people – mainly African-American families – had their faces painted, jumped in inflatable bounce houses and created unity quilts that will be displayed at a local museum.
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“The Jews and the blacks can live together peacefully”, said Gavin’s father during the festival.”I appreciate all the good things all the people are doing”.
