ADL Deplores Abhorrent Hate Crime Targeting Family of African American and Caribbean Descent

Date: January 4, 2013

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly deplores the abhorrent hate crime targeting a local Port St. Lucie family of African American and Caribbean descent. Port St. Lucie Police are investigating the bigoted vandalism and burglary that took place in the family’s home yesterday morning.  ADL has been in contact with the family and has offered victim support.

David Barkey, ADL Southeastern Area Counsel, issued the following statement:

“This heinous hate crime is unacceptable and we ask that the entire community – leaders and residents – stand shoulder to shoulder to publicly condemn the bias-motivated crime targeting the Lafleur family. 

The hateful messages including racial slurs, swastikas and inflammatory statements spray painted on the walls inside of the family’s house impact the entire community, and it is critical that we all come together to send a clear message that we will not tolerate such cowardly and un-American bigotry.

ADL commends the Port St. Lucie Police Department for investigating this matter as a potential hate crime.”

Hate crime statutes have been adopted by 45 states, including Florida.  Many of those laws are based on a model statute crafted by ADL, which has long been in the forefront of national and state efforts to deter and counteract hate-motivated criminal activity.

ADL in the News
CBS-12: ADL urges police to investigate Port St. Lucie vandalism as hate crime