New York, NY, June 18, 2001…A new comprehensive and innovative initiative to assist law enforcement in the battle against extremists and hate groups was announced today by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). At a press conference at its New York Headquarters, ADL launched its Law Enforcement Initiative, with the unveiling of a special Web page -- www.adl.org/learn -- ADL’s Law Enforcement Agency Resource Network, a prime resource for law enforcement agencies and professionals.

One of the nation’s premier organizations in the forefront of the fight against anti-Semitism, racism, and all forms of bigotry and a leading expert on anti-bias training and hate crime prevention, ADL presented its latest compilation of extremist groups and individuals, Extremism in America: A Guide. The League also outlined its expanded training programs for law enforcement.

"In the battle against haters, extremists and those who seek to erode our democratic values and threaten our security, we are committed to providing law enforcement agencies with resources and tools to augment their ongoing efforts," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "Our new Web page is intended for one-stop shopping for current and archival information, trends, analysis and programs."

Designed specifically, but not exclusively, for the law enforcement community, www.adl.org/learn will feature the League’s Extremism in America: A Guide, a who’s who in the hate world. " The lessons of history -- from the Holocaust to Oklahoma City -- have taught us that our best defense against extremists is offense, and that offense is awareness. The Internet gives us the ability to make this a living document," Mr. Foxman said. "It will regularly be refreshed with new entries and updated information on existing groups and individuals, as well as be available in a loose-leaf book format."

Representing law enforcement at the launch were Chief Douglas P. Scherzer, Vice President, New Jersey State Association of Police Chiefs and Chief, Morris Plains NJ Police Department, and Chief Donald Martin, President, Bergen County (NJ) Police Chiefs Association and Chief, Edgewater NJ Police Department.

Bill Bratton, former New York City Police Commissioner, said, "ADL’s new law enforcement initiative, with its new Web Page and Training Curricula, will prove to be a significant addition to enforcement efforts nationwide to deal more effectively with extremists, hate groups and bias crimes. I applaud their efforts."

A major component of the Law Enforcement Initiative is the development of specialized hate crime, extremism, and anti-bias curricula for training programs designed for law enforcement. "Our friends in the law enforcement community have reached out to us for assistance time and time again," said Glen A. Tobias, ADL National Chairman. "Utilizing the expertise of our education and anti-bias trainers, we are offering unique training opportunities for law enforcement personnel which will equip them with tools to better understand and deal with the issues they confront relating to extremism, hate crimes and diversity issues."

In addition, ADL will conduct seminars and workshops, similar to the June 8 program of ADL’s Chicago Regional Office, in partnership with the FBI, on The Extremist Threat: From Recognition to Response. "Through our network of 30 Regional Offices, we will reach out to law enforcement all across the country, replicating these successful programs," Mr. Tobias added.

• State-by-State Calendar of Upcoming Extremist Events
• Chronology of Extremist-Related Criminal Activity
• Resource Directory of Federal and State agencies/organizations
• Interactive Map of State Hate Crime Laws
• Pending Bills and Legislative Matters
• Law Enforcement Training Opportunities
• Online Library linking to ADL’s extensive archives and reports
• Ask ADL

The newly compiled guide, available online and in loose-leaf format, includes sections on extremist individuals, groups and movements. Among those detailed are:

• David Duke, "the highest profile white supremacist of the last two decades" and NOFEAR, his newly established "civil rights" organization.

• William Pierce, founder and leader of the National Alliance, "the largest and most active neo-Nazi organization in the United States."
• Matt Hale, "an admitted racist since the age of 12," and leader of the World Church of the Creator, actively recruits children for his hate group through a specially designed Web site for "kids," and was a mentor to and defender of Benjamin Smith, who targeted Jews and killed an African-American and Asian American before killing himself while on a shooting rampage in the Midwest July 4^th weekend, 1999.
• The Hammerskin Nation, " the most violent and best-organized neo-Nazi skinhead group in the United States," recruits disillusioned young people through racist rock music.

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.