Neo-Nazi Groups Plan Events Commemorating Hitler's Birthday

NEW YORK, April 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an annual rite of spring,
white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups across the United States are planning to
hold events to commemorate the April 20 birthday of Nazi dictator Adolf
Hitler, where he will be celebrated for his legacy of racism, anti-Semitism
and hate.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) says several well-known domestic extremist
groups are planning to hold racist rallies, marches, cookouts and other events
in Washington, D.C., Chicago, IL, Portland, OR, Houston, TX, and Morganton,
NC, in conjunction with Hitler's birthday.

Many of the planned Hitler birthday gatherings coincide with the start of the
Jewish holiday of Passover, which begins on April 19.

"There is always a concern when the extremist groups use a calendar event as a
rallying point to recruit members and to promote anti-Semitism, racism and
bigotry," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "Hitler's birthday
has a special resonance for extremists, not only because of what Adolf Hitler
represents, but because there have been violent and deadly attacks directly
associated with this date in the past. It is especially troubling since
Hitler's birthday falls on the first day of Passover this year."

One of the events on April 19 is being billed as an anti-immigrant rally.
Anti-immigrant and particularly anti-Hispanic rhetoric have become one of the
calling cards of white supremacist groups in recent years, according to ADL,
which has issued reports on how extremist groups have used the national debate
over immigration to recruit new members and spread hate.

The League has provided a list
(http://www.adl.org/extremism/neo_nazi_stage_events.asp) of upcoming Hitler
birthday events on its Web site along with links to more information on the
neo-Nazi and white supremacists groups behind them. Among the events being
planned:

-- Washington, DC: Members of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement, who
are known for dressing in Nazi uniforms and making Nazi salutes, are planning
an April 19 rally and march "against illegal immigration."
-- Morganton, NC: Members of Stormfront, an Internet forum popular among
white supremacists and anti-Semites, will hold a "racialist cookout" that is
being advertised as "family friendly."
-- Chicago, IL: The neo-Nazi American National Socialist Workers Party has
scheduled a gathering in honor of Hitler's birthday featuring various
"pro-white" speakers, including a former German SS officer.
-- Portland, OR: Volksfront, the most active neo-Nazi group on the West Coast,
is hosting a gathering. One of the group's goals is to establish a
whites-only living space in the Pacific Northwest.
-- Houston, TX: Crew 38, a group associated with the neo-Nazi Hammerskin
Nation, will host an "Adolf Hitler Memorial and BBQ" in Houston with live
entertainment and a swastika lighting.

EDITORS NOTE: For more information on extremist events taking place in your
area, or to speak with an expert on domestic extremist groups, contact ADL
Media Relations at (212) 885-7749 or e-mail adlmedia@adl.org.

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.

SOURCE Anti-Defamation League

Myrna Shinbaum, +1-212-885-7747, or Todd Gutnick, +1-212-885-7755, both of
Anti-Defamation League, adlmedia@adl.org