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SPECIAL ADVISORY
June 11, 2009
For more information contact Jill Garvey
Center for New Community Warns of Increased Activity by
White Nationalist Groups
CHICAGO — Yesterday´s shooting at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington is another alarming act of domestic terrorism by organized white nationalism since the November election of President Obama. This is in addition to the hundreds of attacks on Obama campaigners during the election, and hundreds more reported acts of racially-motivated vandalism.
The attack by known white nationalist James Von Brunn is foremost a terrible tragedy for the family of Stephen T. Johns, the security guard murdered while protecting museum visitors.
This latest act of domestic terrorism is also a tragic blow to the security of the American people. While many mainstream media outlets focus on the economic crisis as a factor behind violent hate crime, the reality is white nationalism and racism are stubbornly entrenched in American culture. Organized bigotry has a history of manipulating American perceptions during hard economic times.
The Center for New Community contends that the poor economy is merely a tool for white nationalists as they amass support against an African American president and a rapidly shifting US demographic.
“What we’re seeing is a movement of individuals who are convinced that racial revolution is the only solution to repel a multicultural democracy,” said Eric Ward, national field director at the Center for New Community, “We urge all Americans to prepare for increased violence against Jews, African Americans, and immigrants of color, and take swift measures to counter organized racism in their communities.”
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The Center for New Community is a national organization committed to building community, justice, and equality. The Center is grounded in many faith traditions, and builds community where the dignity and value of all humanity is manifest. Based in Chicago, the organization defends democracy, empowers communities, and promotes equality in its commitments to cultivate civic life and advance systemic change in partnership with local leaders, organizations, congregations, and other institutions.
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