Philadelphia, PA, January 11, 2006 ... The Eastern Pennsylvania/Delaware Regional Office of the Anti-Defamation League is adopting an aggressive approach in response to growing reports of the distribution of hateful anti-Semitic literature in Northeast Philadelphia and contiguous areas. 

The literature demonizes Jews, invokes anti-Semitic canards, and denies the Holocaust.  It is produced by National Vanguard, a splinter group of the National Alliance, which, until recently, was the largest and most formidable Neo-Nazi group in US.

ADL has been tracking local literature distribution by National Vanguard for over a year and is now receiving more frequent reports of larger quantities of literature distribution.  Typically, two or three sheets of paper held together by a rubber band are left on private driveways or on front lawns in neighborhoods with concentrations of both Jews and non-Jews.  Houses, streets and blocks appear to be chosen with no specific targeting of individuals based on their ethnicity or religion. 

National Vanguard was formed after the splintering of the National Alliance in 2005. 

Regional Director Barry Morrison issued the following statement:

After the split, both groups initially experienced a diminished presence locally and nationally and the extent of current local activity of National Vanguard seems to be limited to leafleting homes.

It is time to inform the public of this growing problem.  We ask that anyone who receives this material contact us and local law enforcement.  We are working with law enforcement, government agencies, local municipalities and area institutions to provide background and guidance to respond appropriately.

With the beginning of 2006, it is imperative that we recognize the durability of hate and renew efforts to respond to it in an aggressive, yet measured way.  We are calling on the citizens of our community to offer their cooperation and help meet this challenge.

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.