Miami's Jewish community is protesting what they believe to be inadequate protection by police after a rabbi was gunned down Saturday.
The protest Sunday outside the Miami-Dade Police Intercoastal District Office in Aventura comes after New York rabbi Joseph Raksin was shot and killed while walking to a temple. The shooting happened 2 blocks away from a synagogue that was spray painted with swastikas 2 weeks ago.
Police believe Raksin's murder was an attempted robbery that turned deadly. While police say that there is no indication that the shooting was a hate crime, neighbors disagree. The community is calling the murder a hate crime and act of terrorism.
"It was a hate crime because there was no altercation," said Raksin's nephew Menachem Katz. "There was no robbery. He had no money. He wasn't fighter, he was a very quiet person."
Residents say this is just the latest incident that has made Jewish residents fear for their safety. They say they are stepping up their community watch and already have their own security patrols.
"Especially [after] what happened at the other synagogue 2 weeks ago, there was graffiti on the wall, a car was vandalized," said Orthodox area resident Gideon Gratsiani on Saturday. "God should help us all."
Members of Miami's Orthodox Jewish community are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the shooting of Raksin. Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).
