New York, NY, May 8, 1998…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed outrage at Alabama Governor Fob James’ recent assertion in legal papers that government officials are not obligated to follow Supreme Court rulings that they consider unconstitutional. The statement was merely the latest incident in which James has shown his disdain for the American system of justice and our Constitutional tradition.

Following recent controversies involving the separation of church and state in Alabama, Governor James has threatened to use the Alabama National Guard against federal authorities. James has also lent considerable support to local school authorities who have refused to abide by a Federal judge’s ruling forbidding them from using public schools for religious indoctrination and coercion.

"Fob James is free to disagree with the Supreme Court on legal issues," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, "but he is not free to openly defy the Federal government’s authority to enforce the Bill of Rights. To do so is to subvert the most fundamental tenets of American democracy.

"During a period in which anti-government extremists are calling for their fellow citizens to violently resist the implementation of laws with which they disagree, it is all the more important that our elected officials show proper respect for our democratic institutions." Mr. Foxman called Governor James’ statements "reckless and irresponsible."

Noting that May 7 was "National Day of Prayer," Mr. Foxman said: "Americans of all religious traditions should be thankful that we live in a country in which the government is forbidden from intruding into religious affairs. James’ attempt to enforce his own discredited vision of the Constitution should be opposed by Americans of every faith."

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.