A prominent social media account, Viral News NYC, has brought attention to an individual identified as "Jay Rivera" for allegedly posting antisemitic slurs on Instagram. The account issued a public call to action, urging internet users to investigate and respond to the reported behavior. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of combating hate speech on social media platforms.
The tweet from Viral News NYC explicitly stated, "> Meet Jay Rivera or whatever his name is , that has the need to call Jewish people kikes on Instagram. Internet do your thing @StopAntisemites @LeoTerrellDOJ @Awesome_Jew_", directly quoting the alleged offensive language. The post included a screenshot of the alleged content and tagged several influential figures and organizations.
Among those tagged was @StopAntisemites, a leading non-partisan organization dedicated to holding antisemites accountable. The group works to expose antisemitism through its activity database and social media campaigns, aiming to educate policymakers and the public on the threat of antisemitism. They advocate for a world where Jewish people can live without fear or discrimination.
Political commentator Leo Terrell, also tagged in the tweet, has previously spoken out against antisemitism. Terrell has been noted for his strong condemnations of antisemitic remarks, including his criticism of Whoopi Goldberg's comments regarding the Holocaust, which he described as "sickening" and "ignorant." His inclusion in the tweet underscores the desire for prominent voices to address such allegations.
The alleged incident reflects a broader trend of rising online hate and harassment, particularly antisemitism, across social media platforms. Reports from organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) consistently detail the prevalence of such content, with Jewish Americans disproportionately experiencing online harassment compared to other religious groups. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has policies against glorifying terrorism and hate speech, leading to the removal of accounts that violate these community standards.