Boston, MA, July 26, 2002... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) applauded today's verdict in the trial of Leo Felton and Erica Chase which found the pair guilty of a wide range of serious charges including plotting to attack Jewish and African American targets. Ginny MacDowell and Robert Leikind, respectively ADL's New England Regional Chair and Director, issued the following statement:

The judgments against Leo Felton and Erica Chase have affirmed our commitment to preserving the rule of law. Both defendants had the benefit of a full and fair trial and justice has been served. As important, a strong message has been sent that our law enforcement agencies are committed to fighting domestic terrorism.

The threat posed by anti-Semitic and racist hate groups is regrettably a real one. One of the lessons of this trial is that even as we as a nation focus our attention on the dangers posed by international terrorists, homegrown threats must not be ignored. We are gratified at the effective work done by our law enforcement leaders in bringing Felton and Chase to justice.

ADL has been reporting on domestic extremist and terrorist threats for decades. ADL's recently published report, "Dangerous Convictions", documents the extensive recruiting activities by these groups throughout the national prison system. Other reports on extremism and domestic terrorism are available at www.adl.org or by request.

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.