Denver, CO, July 24, 2008 ... Responding to reports regarding the brutal murder of a Greeley transgender woman, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today condemned bias-motivated violence and encouraged Greely law enforcement to continue its investigation into this tragic incident as a possible hate crime.

"Hate crimes are message crimes," said Bruce H. DeBoskey, ADL's Mountain States Regional Director. "Hate crimes have an impact far beyond the individual victim of the crime.  When a victim is chosen because of his or her sexual orientation, the impact resonates throughout the community and threatens the safety and well-being of every member of that group.

"If officials find that this was indeed a bias-motivated attack, ADL calls upon Greeley law enforcement to prosecute this crime to the full extent permitted under Colorado's Bias-Motivated Crime Statute.

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