New York, NY, August 23, 1999… The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed its concern about the discovery of hate-motivated graffiti etched into seven German made cars in the Midwood section of Brooklyn this past weekend. The seven cars were defaced with swastikas and obscenities towards Nazis.

Howie Katz, Director of ADL's New York Regional Office issued the following statement:

The Anti-Defamation League strongly condemns the vigilante act of hatred directed at owners of German manufactured cars. Recent acts of anti-Semitism that have occurred throughout the United States, including the Midwood section of Brooklyn, have created a tense atmosphere.

While it is not uncommon for acts of bias and hatred to be followed by "retaliatory" acts, tit for tat bias by a disturbed faction or individual are no more appropriate than the violent acts that inspired them. The efforts of the NYPD Bias Unit, which has been exemplary, points up the need for an additional law enforcement tool, a strong NY State Hate Crimes bill, to properly prosecute bias crimes.

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.