New York, NY, August 21, 2003 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed hope that the sentencing of Lemrick Nelson in the 1991 stabbing murder of Yankel Rosenbaum in Crown Heights, would "bring  closure to the traumatic events" for all involved.  Nelson, who admitted the stabbing, received a 10 year sentence for violating Rosenbaum's civil rights.

Joel J. Levy, Director, ADL New York Regional Office, issued the following statement:

Twelve years to the day after Yankel Rosenbaum died of knife wounds, we hope that this sentence will help bring closure to the traumatic events of August 1991 in Crown Heights. We understand the constant pain the Rosenbaum family lives with and sympathize with them in their belief that Nelson should have paid a heavier price.

However, we were heartened to see the meeting between Yankel Rosenbaum's parents and the father of Gavin Cato, the little boy killed in the tragic car accident that sparked the Crown Heights riots which resulted in Rosenbaum's murder.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­In the past twelve years, individuals and organizations have worked to bring the Black and Jewish communities together. The two communities are now talking -- something they did not do 12 years ago. This ongoing dialogue can ensure that understanding will take the place of hatred in Crown Heights and all of New York.