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Boulder, CO, September 20, 2010 – In response to the reported assault of a Boulder man from Nigeria who was allegedly physically attacked because of his race after enduring racial taunts, including the n-word and “monkey”, the Anti-Defamation League’s Boulder Office today condemned bias-motivated violence and applauded the Boulder Police Department for its quick and responsive actions investigating the incident as a bias-motivated crime.
Amy M. Stein, Boulder Office Community Director, issued the following statement:
“ADL applauds the quick and responsive work of the Boulder Police Department and strongly supports its 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 welcome the arrest of one suspect and thank Chief Mark Beckner for allocating extra resources to this crime investigation, sending a strong message that hate violence will not be tolerated in our community.
“We are incredibly disheartened to learn of another tragic instance where a victim is allegedly 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.
“Our thoughts are with the victim, and we hope he has a full and speedy recovery, knowing that he has the support of his community and campus.
“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 http://regions.adl.org/mountain-states.
UPDATE: Police have identified 2 additional suspects in this case; click here for more info.
