Jerusalem, July 5, 1999...According to the Anti-Defamation League, the suspected 21-year-old gunman in Chicago, Benjamin Smith, belonged to the World Church of the Creator one of the fastest growing hate groups in America. The Anti-Defamation League has been monitoring this group for a number of years and has been in contact with law enforcement officials about Smith's activities since 1998.

The extremist group's stated goal is "making this an all white nation and ultimately an all white world." Today, WCOTC has over 35 post office box addresses across the United States and two overseas. Members of the group have carried out aggressive leafleting and recruitment campaigns in various cities across the United States, including Sacramento, California, the site of the three cases of synagogue arson in June 1999. WCOTC materials were found in the parking lot of one of those synagogues, Temple Beth Shalom, during Holocaust Memorial Day service in April 1999.

ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman, issued the following statement:

"Having monitored the World Church of the Creator for years, and having witnessed their record of violence, it comes as no surprise that this rampage of hate and violence was perpetrated by an active member of this particular extremist group. It is also not surprising that the victims of the crimes in Chicago were Jews, Blacks and Asians as the primary goal of the group is the advancement of the 'white race'."

The following pages contain background information on the World Church of the Creator.

• ADL Backgrounder - World Church of the Creator

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.