July 22, 2021
THE WEEK’S BIG 3
Two men associated with anti-government extremists were charged in an alleged plot to firebomb the California Democratic Party’s headquarters in Sacramento, according to a newly unsealed indictment. The shooter who killed one person and injured three others in an attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue in 2019 pleaded guilty to criminal charges on Tuesday and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Ben & Jerry’s announced Monday that it was ending sales in the West Bank and other territories “occupied” by Israel.
Read on for more on these headlines, news you can use to fight hate and the latest info about ADL from around the country.
- Two Men Charged in Alleged Plot to Firebomb California Democratic Party Headquarters
“Ian Benjamin Rogers and Jarrod Copeland were 'prompted by the outcome of the 2020 Presidential election' and believed their attack would spark a 'movement,' according to federal prosecutors, who said the men were members of a militia group.” The Washington Post: FULL STORY
+ ADL Blog: Plot Targeting Sacramento Democratic Headquarters Highlights Continued Threat of Right-Wing Extremism
+ ADL H.E.A.T. Map
- Poway Synagogue Shooter Pleads Guilty to Murder, Attempted Murder
“John T. Earnest, now 22, admitted charges of murder and attempted murder in a plea deal that spares him a potential death sentence in the state case. He pleaded guilty to all the charges he faced, including arson for setting fire to an Escondido mosque a month before the attack on the synagogue, and he admitted that both acts were hate crimes.” The San Diego Union Tribune: READ MORE
+ READ: ADL San Diego Responds to Announced Plea Deal for Chabad of Poway Shooter
+ From April 2019: Deadly Shooting at California Chabad Highlights Threat to Jewish Houses of Worship
- Ben & Jerry’s to Stop Selling Ice Cream in West Bank, Israeli Settlements
“With that, an unabashedly political company appeared to offer support to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which seeks to apply economic and political pressure on Israel on behalf of the Palestinians. But the company emphasized that it was not boycotting the country as a whole — ‘we will stay in Israel,’ it said — just withdrawing from markets in the West Bank.” The New York Times: LEARN MORE
+ ADL tweet: “We are disappointed by this decision from @benandjerrys. You can disagree with policies without feeding into dangerous campaigns that seek to undermine Israel.”
KEY ADL SOCIAL STATEMENTS
- In recent years, there has been an uptick in prejudice and violence against #immigrants, driven by misinformation about the role of immigrants & immigration in American society. Get equipped with accurate facts here…
- Such sad news, hearing of the passing of Ruth Pearl, Daniel Pearl’s mother. In the face of unspeakable tragedy, Ruth and @yudapearl devoted themselves to turning their pain into purpose - fighting for justice and harmony between cultures…
- We welcome @statedeptspox’s unequivocal affirmation of the Administration's rejection of the #BDS movement and commitment to fight against global efforts to delegitimize Israel…
IN THE COMMUNITY
- Tackling antisemitism in Southern California (SoCal Jewish News)
- N.H. Attorney General Says No Charges Against Hate Group That Attacked State Lawmaker (New Hampshire Public Radio)
- What residents, law enforcement and elected officials can do if white supremacists flyer neighborhoods (AZCentral.com)
ADL IN THE NEWS
- Union for Reform Judaism, ADL launch collaboration to combat antisemitism (The Jerusalem Post)
- Human Rights Watch Head Deletes Tweet Pinning UK Antisemitism on Israel, Claims Critics ‘Misinterpreted’ (Algemeiner)
- Growing antisemitism reminds us that AMIA victims need justice, now (The Times of Israel – Sharon Nazarian op-ed)
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