November 10, 2000, San Diego, CA…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the arrest of Alex Curtis, a major player in the white power world, for conspiracy to violate the civil rights of various individuals and institutions, including synagogues and public officials.

Morris Casuto, ADL’s Regional Director in San Diego, who has been a target of Curtis’ terrorist tactics, said, "Curtis’ arrest by federal authorities for civil rights violations sends a clear message to white supremacists that they can not determine who has a right to live in this country. Those of like minds should be on notice that law enforcement will act swiftly when hatemongers attempt to deprive individuals of their constitutional rights."

Mr. Casuto praised the diligent work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego Police Department, La Mesa Police Department and the San Diego Sheriff’s departments that led to the arrest.

ADL, a leader in monitoring and countering extremism, has been aware of Alex Curtis for many years. On October 26, 2000, ADL released Alex Curtis: Lone Wolf of Hate Prowls the Internet, which exposes Curtis’ blueprint for terrorism on the Internet. The ADL report cites Curtis’ advice to white supremacists and other extremists on how to effectively attack Jews, Blacks and other minorities and notes that Curtis’ Web site tells racists who commit acts of violence how to minimize the punishment they receive for their crimes.

The League’s report describes how Curtis, a once little-known racist, now ranks as one of the most vocal proponents of "lone wolf" activism, thanks largely to the power of the Internet. Using his "White Racist" Web site as a means of distributing anti-Semitic and racist literature, Curtis, 25, of San Diego, encourages fellow racists to act alone in committing violent acts so their cohorts will not be held legally responsible for their crimes. Mixed with his virulent attacks against minorities, his model of "lone wolf" activism has captured the imagination of some of the hate movement’s most visible and notorious figures.

"Here is an individual who not only advocates individual acts of terrorism, but goes so far as to provide advice on how to carry them out," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "Alex Curtis personifies a new kind of hater, a person who casts himself as an ideologue and agitates for violent underground campaigns against the government. The real danger in his message is that it seems to be having an effect, particularly among other racists and bigots who are communicating with him."

EDITORS NOTE: For more information on Alex Curtis or to arrange interview with ADL experts, contact the Media Relations Department at (212) 885-7749. The complete report is available on this site.

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.