Chicago, IL, November 2, 1995...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a new report disclosing that the New Alliance Party (NAP), long a fixture on the fringe of left-wing American politics, is skillfully insinuating itself into the upper echelons of the Patriot Party -- an independent political movement initially organized by supporters of H. Ross Perot's 1992 presidential candidacy. A Cult By Any Other Name: The New Alliance Party Dismantled and Reincarnated describes how NAP, which had long claimed to be a champion of the poor and minority communities, announced it was dissolving itself to join forces with the largely white, middle-class, politically-centrist Patriot Party. The ADL report reveals that although NAP's rhetoric has become moderate, the group has a record of anti-Semitism and repeated attempts to take over thriving political organizations, particularly some in the minority community. Issued at the ADL 82nd Annual National Commission Meeting in Chicago, the report exposes how NAP members are introducing changes to Patriot Party policy. The full extent of NAP's influence on the Patriot Party and its agenda remains unclear.

"By reassembling itself within the Patriot Party, NAP has now located a new vehicle for its deceptive, exploitative, anti-Jewish tactics," said David H. Strassler, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "NAP's reincarnation is especially disturbing in view of polls suggesting Americans may want a third major political party. The media, and the American public, need to realize NAP's position within the Patriot Party could mean that a group with a record of manipulating the political system and maligning the Jewish community may be feeding off this swell of third party interest."

Historically, the 15-year-old New Alliance Party has promoted itself as "Black-led, multi-racial, pro-socialist, pro-gay." Dr. Fred Newman is the party's chief strategist, and works primarily behind the scenes. Although he is Jewish, Newman has used his party post to air anti-Semitic diatribes and to support individuals at odds with the Jewish community. Since 1988, the organization has been chaired by Dr. Lenora Branch Fulani, a black Philadelphia-born psychologist.

The 22-page ADL report, prepared by the Research and Evaluation Department of the ADL Civil Rights Division, reveals that:

* In December 1994, NAP announced that it would be dissolving itself and joining forces with the Patriot Party, a group largely comprised of political moderates inspired by the 1992 Presidential candidacy of H. Ross Perot. At a convention in April 1994, when independent Perot-type parties from across the country joined to form the National Patriot Party, NAP's influence on the gathering was substantial. Members of the group gained half of the Patriot Party's 16 leadership positions. Several state parties in attendance ultimately decided not to join the Patriots because of NAP's presence.

* Seemingly overnight, NAP's rhetoric underwent a substantial transformation, and the group replaced its radical mantras with a more moderate vocabulary. Former NAP members currently write for, edit and publish the Patriot Party's newsletter, and have been widely visible as media spokesmen for the party.

* Dr. Newman operates a collective of for-profit ventures, most notorious of which are his therapy centers, at which, it has been charged, Newman administers an unconventional brand of psychiatric treatment that exploits the emotional weaknesses of his clients. Newman also uses these centers to recruit volunteers of NAP.

* Fulani and Newman have frequently peppered their writings and speeches with Jew-baiting remarks. In a 1985 speech, Newman announced that in response to the Holocaust, Jews became "stormtroopers of decadent capitalism." Newman and Fulani lionize Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan, and have defended his hate-filled diatribes against Jews.

* NAP has also kept itself busy staging numerous election campaigns, including runs for U.S. President. As the party's presidential candidate in 1992, Fulani qualified for $2 million in Federal matching funds. Former members charge NAP with misusing these Federal dollars; they claim funds were distributed to Newman-owned businesses for services never performed. A recent preliminary audit by the Federal Election Commission found that $600,000 of the Federal funds were used improperly.

According to the ADL report, "On the surface, what emerges from its rhetoric is the image of an idealistic political group offering up an attractive social agenda. In reality, though, NAP's progressive stance only serves as masterful packaging for an organization that harbors virtually no ideological vision, and whose operating motive appears to be achieving power."

EDITORS NOTE: The report is available on-line on NEXIS search code USNWR and from the ADL Media Relations Department.

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.