New York, NY, July 6, 2000…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is urging the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Republican National Committee (RNC) to give high priority at their respective conventions to the issues of combating hate crimes and bigotry in the public realm as well as on the Internet, maintaining a firm and unequivocal separation of church and state, supporting civil rights and continuing support for Israel and the Middle East peace process.

In statements submitted to the platform committees of both the DNC and RNC in advance of the adoption of party platforms at their respective conventions, ADL urged the parties to:

• Assign a high priority to the enactment and implementation of comprehensive hate crime laws by pursuing expanded federal and state bias crimes legislation
• Encourage support for initiatives that educate children about the dangers of prejudice by teaching Internet critical thinking skills to teachers, librarians, parents and students
• Ensure government neutrality and commitment to the separation of church and state by opposing prayer in schools, creationism curricula, school voucher and "charitable choice" initiatives
• Advocate adopting gun-control laws that are effective and sensible by promoting stricter safety, licensing and registration regulations that will help to safeguard our communities and check extremism without trampling on the Second Amendment or any other constitutional rights
• Maintain a strong U.S. commitment to supporting the State of Israel and the Middle East peace process
• Call on international political, religious and communal leaders to condemn anti-Semitism and provide guidance to emerging democracies on the dangers of discrimination
• Continue efforts to combat terrorist activity both at home and abroad through the strengthening of law enforcement efforts to prevent and punish terrorist criminal activity
• Support an individual’s right to make her own decisions with respect to reproductive issues and reproductive health

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.