Another mass shooting fueled by white supremacy

Bigotry and hatred is a growing threat to our nation.

For Immediate Release

The Holocaust and Human Rights community is horrified by the latest mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, where a gunman murdered 10 people and injured 3 more. The attacker was motivated by bigotry and hatred fueled from white supremacy groups. He allegedly chose the location for its high percentage of Black people who live there, and posted a shockingly racist and antisemitic manifesto shortly before the shooting. Markings on his gun included a reference to “14 words,” the white supremacy slogan “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.”
 
FBI Director Christopher Wray calls this kind of extremism among the biggest threats the United States faces. US Attorney General Merrick Garland has repeatedly said that domestic violent extremist groups, particularly white supremacists, pose a growing threat to the United States, and told Congress that, “We have a growing fear of domestic violent extremism and domestic terrorism. Both of those keep me up at night.”
 
The HHRC and so many other groups across the country are working to raise awareness and urge action to confront this growing threat to our nation and its citizens. We offer educational programs, free of charge, to schools across Maine that encourage communities to engage in anti-bias work and help students understand the seriousness of hate speech, bigotry, bullying and the importance of speaking up when they experience or witness cruelty. Reducing violence motivated by ignorance and racism will require courage and determination from all of our citizens, and we join in solidarity with those working for justice and human rights.
 
Every person can make a difference. The choice to speak up and speak out is powerful in all forms. Advocate for yourself and others that hate speech, bigotry and bullying has no place in your family, school, workplace or community. Expressing how you feel is an act of courage. So is learning more about these incidents and deep-rooted forms of hatred: a helpful resource is the Anti-Defamation League. If you wish, contact your state or federal representatives and share your view. Thank you for making a difference.