Anti-Defamation League Decries "Hate Crime" in Hyannis

Date: November 5, 2009

The Anti-Defamation League New England today condemned an alleged hate crime that occurred yesterday at the Chabad Jewish Center in Hyannis, MA. According to reports the Center was heavily damaged, including the throwing of religious objects on the floor, damage to walls and the downloading a Hitler screensaver onto computers.

“We condemn this attack against a peaceful house of worship, and call-on others to reject this targeting of Jews as an attack on the larger community shared by all," said Derrek Shulman, Anti-Defamation League New England Regional Director.

“We commend the Barnstable Police Department for responding to this Hate Crime immediately, bravely apprehending three suspects, and committing the resources to investigate,” Shulman said, adding that local law enforcement continues to prioritize the protection of all religious institutions.

Though a recent ADL audit shows that anti-Semitic incidents overall are decreasing, “incidents like yesterday remind us that we still have a long way to go,” Shulman said, adding that Jews continue to be the most commonly targeted religious group.

For more information on the new ADL Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, visit the ADL web site.