Residents and town leaders condemn Nazi salute at Fishkill block party; calls for broader response

Fishkill residents and board members addressed a widely circulated video of an adult performing what several speakers described as a Nazi salute behind two minors at a village block party, calling the act unacceptable and urging the town to take further steps beyond issuing a statement.

Karen Finnegan, a Fishkill resident, told the board she appreciated the town’s public statement about the Memorial Day incident but said the gesture has not been "pulled" from public attention and that naming the individual has led to community backlash against him. She urged the board to consider a longer‑term response, suggesting a volunteer committee, funding for programs to support marginalized community members and a bylaw or other formal mechanism to address intolerance.

Board members and officials repeatedly condemned the gesture as hateful and inappropriate for a family event. Several cited historical context and the links between the Roman and Nazi salutes; one member recommended redacting minors’ faces in social posts and getting parental permission before publicizing videos. Officials also praised the community’s Memorial Day and senior‑picnic events, and reiterated that "Fishkill has no place" for such conduct.

What the board can do next: Speakers suggested multiple options, including expanding public education, creating a committee or funded program to support diversity and inclusion, and working with moderators of community social media pages to manage posts responsibly. No board vote or formal ordinance related to the incident was taken at the meeting.

Why it matters: Community leaders said the incident exposed local tensions and presented an opportunity to build programs that support vulnerable groups and deter public expressions of hate. Several residents offered to volunteer on outreach efforts and asked the board to consider structural responses beyond single statements.