Press Release

ADL Applauds Federal Hate Crime Conviction for Death Threats to Arab American Institute Staff

New York, NY, May 10, 2019 … ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today applauded the successful federal hate crime prosecution of a Virginia man who had repeatedly issued death threats to leaders and staff of the Arab American Institute over a five-year period.

Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director, issued the following statement: 

Hate crimes like this may target specific individuals, but their effect can be far greater – the perpetrator attempts to intimidate or silence not only the victim, but also the victim’s whole community. No one should be targeted for harassment or hate violence because of who they are.

With this successful prosecution, the Justice Department has sent a welcome message: bias-motivated threats will be treated seriously and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.