New York, NY, April 16, 1998…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended law enforcement for their stepped up vigilance as April 19, the anniversary date of the Oklahoma City bombing and deadly fire at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, approaches. While recognizing the diligent, ongoing efforts of Federal law enforcement agencies in tracking the criminal activities of violence-prone hate groups and anti-government militias and bringing them to justice, ADL urged the Justice Department and the FBI to expand the mandate of anti-terrorism task forces.

"Unfortunately, as you know all too well, there is a need to step up vigilance, especially in the days to come," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, in a letter to Attorney General Janet Reno and Louis Freeh, Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation. "Despite increased public awareness of the dangers posed by white supremacist and anti-government organizations," continued Mr. Foxman, "members of these groups have continued to stockpile weapons and explosives and to target government facilities around the country. Many have shifted their activities underground, making the work of law enforcement all the more critical."

April 19, the anniversary of the deadly fire at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, continues to be a significant date on the extremist calendar. At least one Texas militia supporter has posted an Internet communication calling upon militia groups to unleash an anti-government terror campaign on April 19. The message instructs militias to "Rise up against the current government," and states that "ALL Federal Buildings, Federal establishments, Federal holdings…are considered valid MILITARY targets." The same Internet site also advertises monthly courses in the "fundamentals of combat."

"Messages like these demonstrate that despite the recent successes of Federal law enforcement," said Mr. Foxman, "the extremists have not given up their war against the government. Today’s terrorists have the potential to plague our citizens with bio-toxins and chemical weapons in addition to their firearms and explosives. We need to stop these individuals before a disaster occurs."

ADL urged the Justice Department and the FBI to use the model of the Hate Crime working groups, now established in every U.S. Attorney’s office, to expand the mandate of Federal, state and local Anti-Terrorism Task Forces to work along with civic groups to help educate and raise public awareness to the threat of domestic terrorism.

According to the ADL, law enforcement’s recent efforts to thwart the plots of would-be domestic terrorists, have led to:

• The conviction of five members of the so-called Aryan Republican Army in the Midwest;

• The recent conviction on mail fraud charges of nine members of the Republic of Texas;

• The indictment on racketeering charges of white supremacists Chevie Kehoe, Faron Lovelace and Danny Graham in Arkansas;

• The indictment, in Illinois, of several men allegedly plotting to bomb the buildings of civil rights organizations, including the ADL’s national headquarters.

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.