Washington, DC, January 29, 2009 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly condemned the recent reported vandalism at Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Potomac, Maryland.   The church suffered damage that included vandalism on its back door. 

"We denounce this attack against Saints Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church and applaud the work of the Montgomery County Police Department in investigating this as a hate crime," said Emily Friedman, ADL Assistant Regional Director.  "Hate crimes against any community will not be tolerated and must be condemned by all members of the community." 

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.