Boulder, Colo., October 31, 2008 – In response to the assault of an Asian-American man who was allegedly attacked because of his race, the Anti-Defamation League today condemned bias-motivated violence and expressed support for the Boulder Police Department’s investigation into the incident.
ADL Boulder Community Coordinator Amy M. Stein issued the following statement:
“ADL abhors the alleged assault of an Asian-American man in Boulder last night. We strongly support the investigation by the Boulder Police Department into the incident and appreciate the Department’s ongoing commitment to fully investigate hate crimes. If Boulder officials find that this was a bias-motivated attack, we urge them to prosecute this crime to the full extent permitted under Colorado’s hate crimes law and the City of Boulder’s Bias-Motivated Crimes Ordinance.
“We are alarmed to learn of this alleged attack where a victim was targeted because of his race. Hate crimes have an impact far beyond the individual victim of the crime. When a victim is chosen because of his or her race, other members of that group feel unsafe and unwelcome. Hate crimes resonate throughout the victim’s community and threaten the safety and well-being of every member of that group.
“ADL calls upon the Boulder community to speak out loudly against hate crimes and declare Boulder no place for hate.”
The Anti-Defamation League is the nation’s premier civil rights/human relations agency fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry and hatred, defending democratic ideals and protecting civil rights for all. Through its A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute, ADL provides diversity and anti-bias training and resources for the community, schools and law enforcement officials. For more information about ADL and its services, visit www.adl.org/mountain-states.