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The flag was hanging, until Tuesday, Sept. 24, in an apartment window on Main Street in Poughkeepsie, one building away from the office of Joe Ruggiero, who is running for Dutchess County Executive, and not far from Vassar College.
In a statement, Ruggiero said: "When one segment of our community is attacked, none of us can say we are attack-free. These acts of hate, symbols of hate, hide under the guise of the First Amendment. Now we need to use our First Amendment rights and speak out against it and condemn it."
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro also condemned the flag.
“In no way will such hatred, anti-Semitism, and fear-mongering ever be welcome in Dutchess County. Those who seek to spread fear and hatred attack our way of life, the essence of our pluralistic society, and the tranquility of an otherwise peaceful and welcoming community," said Molinaro.
He went on to say that the county's Commission on Human Rights had been re-established for the very purpose of addressing "this kind of hate and sending a clear message it has no place in our community."
After the photo of the flag was posted online, the building's landlord had the flag removed.
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