Washington, DC, April 6, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly condemned the reported vandalism that took place at two churches in Stafford, Virginia, and applauded the arrests of four suspects this week. 

Union Bell Baptist Church suffered four broken windows and graffiti that included racial slurs.  Strong Tower Ministries Church was defaced with graffiti that included both racial and anti-religious slurs.  Police arrested four teenage boys in connection with the incidents after one of them bragged to a classmate about his role.  This individual was already under investigation for acts that include vandalism, mailbox bombings, setting cars on fire, and distributing Ku Klux Klan fliers at his school.

“We condemn these ugly attacks on houses of worship and applaud the work of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office in investigating them as hate crimes,” said Rachel Werner, ADL Assistant Regional Director. “This should send a forceful message that hate crimes against any community will not be tolerated, and that those who commit them will face serious consequences.  Furthermore, we want the congregations of these churches to know that citizens of all faiths stand by them in the wake of these attacks.”

Hate crime statutes have been adopted by 45 states.  Many of those laws are based on a model statute crafted by ADL, which has long been in the forefront of national and state efforts to deter and counteract hate-motivated criminal activity.

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.