The head of a prominent video agency has come under fire for making shocking false statements regarding a violent assailant who attacked Jewish individuals during Shabbat services at a Manhattan synagogue. This organization was involved in producing digital ads for Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s winning campaign.
Debra Saslow, a senior producer for the agency, claimed on X that the perpetrator was an Orthodox Jew and concluded that the incident didn’t qualify as an “anti-Semitic attack,” despite the fact that the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has charged Larry Montez, the suspect, with multiple hate crime offenses, including two counts of assault and aggravated harassment.
Saslow’s remarks were controversial, especially as Melted Solids, the agency she co-founded, prominently highlighted its partnership with Mamdani’s campaign. The company has also been linked to the campaigns of notable political figures like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Congressman Jamaal Bowman.
Montez, a Bronx resident, reportedly acknowledged to police that his actions were motivated by religious bias, hurling insults at worshippers. According to Assistant District Attorney Ali Fazal, he termed those praying as “pigs” and “fake Jews.” In a violent outburst at Central Synagogue, Montez allegedly punched a 63-year-old worshipper and caused significant damage to religious artifacts.
At his arraignment, prosecutors described Montez as harboring not only hostility towards Jews but also racial animosity towards black individuals, which further complicates the case.
After backlash, Saslow deleted her original post and eventually recognized that the attack was indeed a hate crime, stating that she was caught off guard by early reports and the lack of updates on social media at the time. In a later exchange, she seemed to reflect on her mix-up regarding Montez’s background, expressing confusion and confirming that she would correct her earlier statements. She emphasized her distress over the situation, noting that family members were present during the attack.
