Chicago Chapter of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee condemns synagogue attacks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUNDAY, JAN. 11, 2009

CONTACT:
Fadi Zanayed, President Chicago Chapter
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee

ARAB ORGANIZATION CONDEMNS SYNAGOGUE DESECRATIONS

The Chicago Chapter of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC-Chicago) condemns the vandalism that has been reported over the past few days against Jewish American religious institutions.

ADC-Chicago and the entire Arab American community in Chicagoland oppose all forms of racism, bias, bigotry, discrimination and acts of violence or vandalism that reflect any form of racism. These acts of vandalism only contribute towards hatred. We oppose hatred. We make this statement because our organization believes that the Arab and Jewish communities should work together against all forms of discrimination as a first step toward working together for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East .

ADC-Chicago also urges the public not to rush to judgment as to the race or religion of the offenders in these acts of vandalism. Their acts are not endorsed in anyway and do not reflect on the legitimate efforts of our community to stand up for justice and fairness and the support of peace.

Members of the Arab American community are living in a state of fear of bias and discrimination and experience this racism every day, some of which is the result of the tragic conflict in the Middle East . This fear mongering is being espoused by certain news media and particularly talk radio that promote anti-Arab racism.

ADC-Chicago has stood up against hate speech on local radio and in the media and we hope that everyone will join us in speaking out against the factors and incidents that fuel hatred and animosity anywhere and everywhere.

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Fadi Zanayed, ADC-Chicago President
708-257-7755
www.ADCChicago.com

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