Community Gathers to Stand Up Against Hateful Graffiti

Dozens of neighbors gathered last night at the vigil organized by Councilmember Brad Lander to stand up against anti-Muslim graffiti found outside of TDS Insurance on Beverley Road.

Mamun Ur Rashid, the owner of TDS Insurance, discovered the Islamaphobic vandalism on his store Monday morning and reported it to police.

“We do not want any religious conflict in Kensington,” he said in a statement released by Lander's office.  “We respect people of all faiths and seek to live together in peace.”

Lander hopes to help build even stronger community bonds by creating "Kensington Plaza," by adding benches to the space near where the graffiti was found.

Additionally, Lander made sure last night that the 66th Precinct is aware of the other incidents of anti-Muslim vandalism in the area, which appear to have been written in the same handwriting.