Missouri: Anti-Semitic Incidents See Slight Increase in 2006
St. Louis, MO, March 14, 2007 … Anti-Semitic incidents in Missouri/Southern Illinois increased slightly in 2006, according to newly issued statistics from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which tracks incidents against Jewish individuals, synagogues and community institutions.
The League's annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, issued today, counted a total of 14 incidents across Missouri and Southern Illinois, 8 more incidents than 6 reported in 2005.
There were 1,554 anti-Semitic incidents across the United States in 2006, representing a 12 percent decline from 1,757 reported in 2005.
The Audit comprises data from across Missouri and Southern Illinois, including information provided to ADL's regional office by victims, law enforcement officers and community leaders. The Audit identifies both criminal and non-criminal incidents of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate literature, threats and slurs.
Reported Incidents: Missouri/Southern Illinois Region
"There is no specific rhyme or reason for why our region saw such a large spike this year," said Karen Aroesty, ADL Missouri/Southern Illinois Regional Director. "Incidents were related to the war in Lebanon last August, to Holocaust denial in Tehran, to white supremacy, and included the more common graffiti incidents that are likely the work of adolescents."
The following is a sampling of some of the more troubling incidents recorded in Missouri and Southern Illinois:
- During the summer and fall the founder of the German American Voice distributed hundreds of leaflets in South County espousing anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.
- Twelve members of the National Socialist Movement (the American Nazi Party) demonstrated in support of Holocaust denial outside the JCC Campus near the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center.
- A Jewish customer at a quick-change oil company shop discovered later that the oil filter was defaced with a drawing of a penis connected to a Star of David.
- A Jewish professor at a local university was the victim of a cyberthreat which read, "Professor, we would love to talk about the history of the Jews. Join us for a gas barbeque at the [following] address (which was the Professor's home)". The date was April 20, 2006. April 20 is the birthdate of Adolf Hitler.
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.
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