New York Gov. Kathy Hochul condemned protesters who disrupted an October 7 victims’ vigil in New York. She called the disruption “absolutely despicable” and said Jewish New Yorkers deserved to mourn without hatred or intimidation. Her remarks focused on protesters she said waved flags of terrorist organizations during the vigil.
In her statement, Hochul centered the incident on the treatment of those attending the memorial. “Jewish New Yorkers deserve to mourn in peace, free from hatred and intimidation,” she said. She added, “There is no excuse for this. None.”
The governor described the anniversary as “a day of profound pain” for many New Yorkers. She did not identify the protesters or specify which organizations were represented by the flags. Her statement instead focused on condemning the disruption and defending mourners’ ability to gather peacefully.
Kathy Hochul Faces Backlash After Condemning October 7 Vigil Protesters
Hochul’s condemnation drew sharp responses, with critics questioning her record while others welcomed the statement.
One user told the governor, “This is the bed you made. Now lie in it.” Another challenged her response directly: “So, what are you gonna do about it?”
Others tied the controversy to her political decisions. One response stated, “You endorsed EXACTLY THIS when you endorsed MAMDANI!” Another wrote, “You are one of the reasons they felt they could, the mayor is the other reason.”
A separate user argued, “You can’t have it both ways, governor. Open your eyes.” Another placed responsibility directly on Hochul, writing, “This is on you.”
Calls for further action also surfaced. One response said, “You should have done more. You need to do more.”
However, some responses welcomed her condemnation. One user simply wrote, “Nicely said.” Another offered similar approval: “Good statement.”
Hochul did not outline additional action in the statement. Questions remain over whether state officials will take further steps.
