“I am once again directing the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to assist the NYPD with its investigation and hold those responsible accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“This act of hate is repugnant to our values of equality and inclusion, and we will not stand by and allow these cowardly acts to continue in New York,” he said in a statement. Boulevard, and directed the state police’s hate crimes task force to assist local authorities with the ongoing investigation. WABC-TV(NEW YORK) - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo asked state authorities to open a hate crime investigation on Monday after an arsonist set fire to a rainbow flag outside of a Harlem gay bar.Ĭuomo said he was “appalled” by the incident at Alibi Lounge, the only gay bar in the neighborhood around 139th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr.