Denver, CO, October 16, 2013…In response to the reported assault of a woman who was allegedly physically attacked in Denver, reportedly because of her race and national origin, the Anti-Defamation League’s Mountain States Regional Office today condemned bias-motivated violence and applauded Denver law enforcement for its quick and responsive actions investigating the incident as a bias-motivated crime.

Reportedly, a man struck Sunila Tomas George, a woman of reportedly Indian and Lebanese descent, on her head while accusing her of being a ‘terrorist.’ Ms. George was standing outside of a Denver hotel, where she was attending a conference reportedly focused on issues relating to discrimination.

Scott L. Levin, ADL Mountain States Regional Director, issued the following statement:

“We are disheartened to learn of this tragic incident in which a victim was allegedly targeted because of her race and national origin. Our thoughts are with the victim, and we hope she has a full and speedy recovery. It is not lost on us that the victim is a Commissioner for the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination; we hope that she is able to get back to work soon, as it is clear that work like hers is critical.

“Hate crimes have an impact far beyond the individual victim of the crime. When a victim is chosen because of his or her actual or perceived race, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or disability, 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 applauds Denver law enforcement’s quick and responsive work and strongly supports its ongoing commitment to fully investigate hate crimes. If 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. We welcome the arrest of the suspect and thank law enforcement for sending a strong message that hate violence will not be tolerated in our community.

“ADL calls upon the Denver community to speak out loudly against hate crimes and declare Denver no place for hate.”

 

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.