The man charged in the deadliest attack on the U.S. Jewish community found guilty
New York, NY, June 16, 2023 ... ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today welcomes the jury’s guilty verdict in the criminal case against Robert Bowers, the white supremacist charged with killing 11 people on Oct. 27, 2018, at a synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood – the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history
“We welcome the jury’s guilty verdict today and believe that justice has been served,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “This attack was the deadliest act of antisemitic violence in American history — but the hate and conspiratorial thinking that fueled this violence has not gone away. We thank the jurors for their service, and we hope this brings closure to those who lost loved ones five years ago. We will continue to support the community during the sentencing phase of the trial, which is expected to begin in the near future. ADL vows to continue our work to stop hate and protect Jewish communities.”
Bowers was motivated by “The Great Replacement Theory,” blaming Jews for ostensibly orchestrating the immigration of non-white people to the United States as part of a conspiratorial plot to destroy the white race. He committed the massacre after radicalizing and communicating with other extremists on the fringe website Gab.
This hate continues to cause real harm to Jewish communities. In January, ADL released topline survey findings showing the highest percentage in decades of respondents harboring extensive antisemitic prejudice. Antisemitic incidents also surged to historic levels in 2022, with a total of 3,697 incidents reported across the United States, an increase of 36 percent compared to 2021. Over 100 of these incidents were categorized as assault.
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.