American Jewish Committee Calls Aryan Nations Verdict A Victory Against HateAmerican Jewish Committee American Jewish Committee President Bruce M. Ramer today called the verdict against Aryan Nations leader Richard Butler a victory for community groups fighting against hate. The full text of Mr. Ramer's statement follows: "The American Jewish Committee is deeply gratified that a Coeur d'Alene, Idaho jury yesterday found Aryan Nations leader Richard Butler and others to be liable for terrorizing Victoria Keenan and her son, Jason. The jury's $6.3 million verdict will likely lead to the closing of the Aryan Nations compound in Idaho.  "Over the years Aryan Nations members have committed horrific hate crimes. Among the most notable crimes committed by individuals associated with the Aryan Nations were the murder and robbery rampage by The Order, a group responsible for the murder of Denver talk show host Alan Berg, and Buford Furrow's shooting spree in Los Angeles last summer, which left many children from a Jewish community center wounded and a Filipino-American postal worker dead. "AJC praises the Keenan family for having the courage to bring this suit, Morris Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center, who so ably prosecuted it, and the people of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. "For nearly three decades the Aryan Nations' anti-Semitism and racism have tarnished the reputation of the Idaho panhandle. But northern Idaho is also the home of some of the nation's premier community groups fighting bigotry, including the Northwest Coalition for Human Dignity and the various county-based human rights task forces. This truly is their victory."
For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org |
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