New NYC Campaign Fights Hate Crimes

A new print and video public service campaign launched by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and city council speaker Christine Quinn will celebrate diversity and combat hate crimes in New York City.

The campaign, called "Love Love. Hate Hate," in English, will also run in Spanish. It responds to recent antigay hate crimes in the New York City area, including the deadly bullying of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, the gang-related torture of two teenagers and a man in the Bronx, an assault against a man inside the historic Stonewall Inn in the West Village, and an attack on a group of men in the Chelesea neighborhood.

"Starting October 22nd, print ads will be placed at 100 bus shelters and 100 phone kiosks throughout the five boroughs, all either donated or from within the City's existing inventory," said a news release about the campaign. "A video will air on two of the City's television channels -- NYC Life and NYC Gov -- and on television screens in New York City taxis. NYC & Company, which is producing the campaign -- the brainchild of Speaker Quinn -- will also seek to team up with local television stations, radio stations and outdoor ad space providers to place ads."

Quinn unveiled the campaign, which also includes social media components, Thursday at the fall dinner of the Empire State Pride Agenda, which Mayor Bloomberg also attended.