"Nooses symbolize a shameful, hateful, criminal era in American history, and should never be tolerated or treated casually," said Bruce H. DeBoskey, ADL Regional Director. "We applaud the actions of the Denver Police Department for investigating this incident as a bias-motivated crime. Crimes involving racial harassment and the use of a noose as a threatening symbol must be taken seriously and a clear message must be sent that such behavior is unacceptable in our community."