Denver, July 11, 2007 ... The Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) Mountain States Office expressed support today for the Steamboat Springs Police Department's investigation of an assault on an African-American man on July 6 by two white men who allegedly identified themselves as "Nazis" and reportedly told the victim to "leave our white women alone."

Bruce H. DeBoskey, ADL Mountain States Regional Director, issued the following statement:

ADL strongly supports the investigation by Steamboat Springs police of this alleged assault to determine whether a hate crime was committed. If law enforcement officials find that this attack was motivated by hate, we urge them to prosecute this crime to the full extent permitted under Colorado's Bias-Motivated Crimes law.

Hate crimes are not like other crimes, because they have an impact far beyond the individual victim of the crime. When a victim is targeted because of his or her race, everyone who shares those characteristics feels threatened. Those crimes resonate throughout the victim's community, and threaten the safety and well being of every member of that group.

It is imperative that the perpetrators of hate crimes receive a strong message that their hateful beliefs are not shared by the general public.  It is equally imperative that the victim's community hear that message.  We call upon the Steamboat Springs community to stand up and speak out loudly declaring that Steamboat Springs, Colorado is no place for hate.

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.