Washington, DC, May 7, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) decried the recent attempted arson at CASA of Maryland's Greater Gaithersburg Workers Center.  The center opened on April 16 and is devoted to ensuring immigrant families receive equal treatment and become self-sufficient.

ADL expresses its sympathy with the staff of the center as well as those who are served by it.

ADL urges the Montgomery County Department of Police to investigate this incident as a hate crime, as it comes at a time of a significant rise in anti-immigrant activity nationwide.

"Hate crimes are message crimes," said Rachel Werner, ADL Washington, D.C. Assistant Regional Director. "Perpetrators of hate crimes send a message to their victims – and everyone else who shares the victim's characteristics – that minorities are not welcome or safe.

"Our communities must unite and send the opposite message loud and clear – that all people, of any nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender, ability, religion or ethnicity, are welcome, safe, protected and included in our society. Maryland is no place for hate."

Hate crime statutes have been adopted by 45 states.  Many of those laws are based on a model statute crafted by ADL, which has long been in the forefront of national and state efforts to deter and counteract hate-motivated criminal activity.

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.