To the City of New York

To the City of New York

Re: Request for Consistent Enforcement of City Laws and Protection of truth, justice and  Bosnian-American Communities

Dear Mayor and City Officials,

The Institute for Research of Genocide Canada  is writing to express our deep concern regarding a recent mobile multimedia campaign that displayed messages denying the genocide committed in Srebrenica and distorting well-established judicial and historical facts about the 1992–1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

These mobile displays appeared throughout New York City on July 11, the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica, including in the vicinity of the United Nations, Times Square, Brooklyn, and Queens. For many Bosnian-American families, genocide survivors, and descendants of victims, the timing and locations were deeply distressing. What should have been a day of remembrance and reflection instead became a day marked by intimidation and renewed trauma.

Many members of our community reported feeling targeted, unwelcome, and unsafe as these displays traveled through neighborhoods that are home to large Bosnian-American and Muslim populations. While words displayed on a moving vehicle may not constitute a physical threat, their impact on survivors of genocide and their families should not be underestimated. Public denial of atrocities that have been established through extensive forensic evidence and affirmed by international courts is not merely offensive—it reopens wounds that many have spent decades trying to heal.

We fully recognize and respect the constitutional protections afforded by the First Amendment. Freedom of expression is one of the foundations of our democracy, and we are not asking the City to suppress lawful political speech or regulate opinions.

Rather, we respectfully ask the City to ensure that its own laws and regulations are enforced fairly, consistently, and without exception whenever public demonstrations or mobile advertising campaigns occur. This includes enforcing applicable permitting requirements, public safety regulations, traffic laws, noise ordinances, and any other laws intended to protect residents from harassment, intimidation, obstruction, or other unlawful conduct.

Accordingly, we respectfully request that the City:

1. Review whether the organizers of these mobile displays obtained all required permits and complied with all applicable City regulations.
2. Confirm that any permit conditions, including those related to routes, signage, public safety, and vehicle operations, were fully observed.
3. Investigate whether any aspect of these activities violated City or State law, including laws relating to harassment, intimidation, disorderly conduct, obstruction of public spaces, or other unlawful behavior.
4. Develop a clear protocol for coordination between City agencies and the New York City Police Department when similar events have the potential to intimidate communities that have experienced genocide, war crimes, or other forms of persecution.
5. Designate a point of contact within the City for community organizations to report concerns when future incidents of this nature occur.
6. Publicly reaffirm that every New Yorker—regardless of ethnicity, religion, national origin, or immigration background—is entitled to safety, dignity, and equal enjoyment of public spaces, and that the City remains committed to protecting all communities from intimidation and unlawful conduct.

This issue extends beyond the Bosnian-American community. New York has long been a place where people fleeing persecution have found safety and built new lives. That promise is weakened whenever survivors of genocide feel intimidated while commemorating the loss of their loved ones.

For many of us, July 11 is not simply another date on the calendar. It is a day when we remember fathers, mothers, sons, brothers, and neighbors who were murdered simply because of who they were. Seeing messages that deny those crimes on the very day the world pauses to remember them causes profound pain—not only to survivors but also to future generations who are working to preserve the truth and prevent such atrocities from ever happening again.

We respectfully request a written response outlining the City’s assessment of these incidents and any actions taken or being considered. We would also welcome the opportunity to meet with City officials to discuss how we can work together to ensure that New York continues to be a city where all communities feel protected, respected, and heard.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to your response.

Respectfully,