Update: After major sponsors pulled out, MSNBC and then CBS announced that they had cancelled "Imus in the Morning."

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New York, NY, April 11, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said the suspension of talk-show host Don Imus for racist and sexist remarks he made about the Rutgers women's basketball team was "a long time in coming," given his history of racist and anti-Semitic invective on his "Imus in the Morning" program.  The suspension goes into effect next week.

"It is about time that Imus has finally been called to account for engaging in racism and intolerance on his program," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "He's gotten away with insensitive and stereotypical remarks about Blacks, Jews, women, homosexuals and others far too often.  His suspension by CBS Radio and MSNBC was a long time in coming.  Mr. Imus has to be held accountable, and must continue to be held accountable for his use of the public airwaves to promote racism and anti-Semitism."

Over the last several years, ADL has logged dozens of complaints about Mr. Imus' on-air remarks.  The League had twice written to Mr. Imus -- in December 2004 and December 2006 -- to voice concern about stereotypical remarks he and his co-hosts had made on the air about Jews and others.  The League never received any response from Mr. Imus or his "Imus in the Morning" team.

On November 30, 2006, Mr. Imus and his co-hosts referred to the "Jewish management at whoever we work for, CBS" whom he later described as "money grubbing bastards."  That discussion resulted in a barrage of phone calls, letters and e-mails to ADL from listeners and viewers.

In December 2004, Mr. Imus referred to publishers of a new book called "The Christmas Thief" as "thieving Jews."  Later on the same program, he attempted to apologize for that remark by saying (of thieving Jews), "I apologize … I realize that's redundant."

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.