Hate is a Virus Too
Youth Initiative Forum

Top photo by T. Chick McClure on Unsplash. Panelists from left to right; Hon. Troy K. Webber, Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan, Chris Kwok, Esq., Kyle Harmon, La’Shaya Costello, and Nadine C. Johnson, Esq.

On May 15, 2020, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and the Council For Unity co-sponsored a Youth Initiative Forum entitled “Hate is a Virus Too.” Junior and high school students with the Council for Unity participated in the virtual Forum. Council for Unity is an organization with a long history of promoting unity, safety and achievement in schools to improve the lives of young people. Robert J. De Sena, Council For Unity President, founded the organization in 1975. The Forum was in response to the increase in the number of racist incidents and hate crimes reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants discussed hate crimes, laws addressing such crimes, and the prosecution and enforcement of hate crimes, as well as resources and solutions.

The panelists included Hon. Troy K. Webber, Justice, Appellate Division, First Department, FHW Co-Chair; Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan, Justice, Appellate Term, First Department; Chris M. Kwok, Esq., JAMS Mediator and Arbitrator; La’Shaya Costello, Program Site Coordinator, Council For Unity; Kyle Harmon, Administrative Director, Council For Unity; and Nadine C. Johnson, Esq., FHW Co-Chair of Youth Initiatives, who served as moderator. This Forum can be viewed at: http://ww2.nycourts.gov/ip/ethnic-fairness/index.shtml.

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