U.S. Department of Justice
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Statements of Department of Justice Officials
Since Tuesday the Justice Department has received reports of violence and threats of violence against
Arab-Americans and other Americans of Middle Eastern and South Asian descents.We must not descend to the level of those who perpetrated Tuesday's violence by targeting individuals based on their race, their religion, or their national origin.
Such reports of violence and threats are in direct opposition to the very principles and laws of the United States and will not be tolerated.
Excerpt from remarks of Attorney General John Ashcroft, September 13, 2001
Image files of this excerpt are available in Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu
The Attorney General has made clear that any act of violence or discrimination against a person based on the perceived race, religion or national origin of that person is contrary to our fundamental principles and the laws of the United States. His statement is a reminder to all Americans that Americans of Arab or South Asian decent and people of the Muslim faith were also injured and killed in Tuesday's attacks. In addition, they also are -- along with other Americans -- involved in relief operations, and other efforts to alleviate suffering. Any threats of violence or discrimination against Arab or Muslim Americans or Americans of South Asian descents are not just wrong and un-American, but also are unlawful and will be treated as such.
As the Attorney General reminded us today, we must not descend to the level of those who perpetrated Tuesday's violence by targeting individuals for threats or violence based on their race, religion, and national origin. To do so would be to grant terrorists a victory they cannot - and would not - otherwise achieve. We are a great nation; we must treat one another, and others in a manner consistent with that greatness. Everything we do must reaffirm and respect the dignity, heroism and sacrifice of those who have died, lest their sacrifice be in vain.
Statement of Assistant Attorney General Ralph F. Boyd, Jr., September 13, 2001
Image files of this excerpt are available in Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu
Before I spend a moment discussing the current investigation, I want to talk briefly about another area of the FBI’s responsibilities, and that relates to civil rights.Since the horrific attacks on September 11, dozens of retaliatory hate crimes have been directed at members of the Arab-American community, including assaults, arson, threatening communications and two possibly-and I say “possibly”-ethnically motivated murders. Many of these criminal acts have been directed at Muslim houses of worship and at Muslim community centers.
I want to make it very clear: Vigilante attacks and threats against Arab-Americans will not be tolerated. We are all saddened by the recent acts of terrorism against our nation. Such acts of retaliation violate federal law and, more particularly, run counter to the very principles of equality and freedom upon which our nation is founded. The FBI and the Department of Justice are committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting violations of the federal hate crime laws. We, to date, have initiated 40 hate crimes investigations, involving reported attacks on Arab American citizens and institutions. And we are working with the Department of Justice to review other incidents to see if federal violations have taken place. I might also add that the FBI is reaching out to leaders of the Arab American community in each of our 56 field offices across the country.
Excerpt of News Conference Remarks of FBI Director Robert Mueller, September 17, 2001
Today we seek to meet the challenge of terrorism with the same careful regard for the Constitutional rights of Americans and respect for all human beings. Just as American rights and freedoms have been preserved throughout previous law enforcement campaigns, they must be preserved throughout this war on terrorism.
This Justice Department will never waiver in our defense of the Constitution nor relent our defense of civil rights.
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Mr. Chairman, I also want to report to you on the status of the DOJ’s activities regarding protecting the civil rights of all Americans. Since September 11, the Civil Rights Division, working closely with the United States Attorneys and the FBI, has opened over 60 investigations into acts involving force or threats of force committed in retaliation for the events of September 11. All of these acts include killings, assaults, the destruction or attempted destruction of businesses, attacks on mosques and worshipers and death threats.
The Department of Justice is firmly committed to pursuing these misguided wrongdoers vigorously. The Civil Rights Division and FBI officials have met with leaders of the Arab American, Muslim and Sikh communities and we have established in the Civil Rights Division an initiative to combat post-terrorism discrimination to ensure that all allegations of violence or discrimination are addressed promptly and effectively.
Let there be no mistake: the Department of Justice will not tolerate acts of violence or discrimination against people in this country based on their race, national origin or religion.
Excerpt of Testimony of Attorney General John Ashcroft before the
Senate Committee on the Judiciary, September 25, 2001
It is testimony to the compassion and decency of the American people that virtually simultaneously with learning of the attacks of September 11, voices began to be raised cautioning citizens not to turn their anger and outrage over the terrorist acts against Arab-Americans and people of the Muslim faith. Americans overwhelmingly heeded this message.
In many cases, individuals have reached out to Muslims and others to reassure them that they are still welcome and valued members of their communities. I spoke with old friends today in the Muslim and Sikh community. They echoed what the vast majority of Americans understand. The nation has suffered a grave loss. Those who would express their anger through ethnically or religiously motived attacks would only compound our loss.
As President Bush, FBI Director Mueller and I have said on numerous occasions, vigilante attacks and threats against people of Arab, Middle Eastern or South Asian descent, or against those who practice the Islamic faith, will not be tolerated. Such senseless acts of brutality violate federal law, and they run counter to the very principles of equality and freedom upon which our nation is founded. They are un-American.
I am thankful to the representatives of the Arab-American, Muslim and Sikh communities who have taken the time to share their ideas and concerns with us here today. The Department of Justice is strongly committed to investigating and prosecuting violators of the federal hate crime laws.
We have established in the Civil Rights Division an initiative to combat post-terrorism discrimination by ensuring that allegations of violence or discrimination are addressed promptly and effectively. Working in tandem, the Civil Rights Division, FBI, and U.S. Attorneys' offices have opened over 170 hate crime investigations - cases involving killings, shootings, death threats, assaults, and the destruction of mosques. Two of the U.S. Attorneys involved in these prosecutions are with us today.
Francis "Jerry" Diskin, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington
Paul Warner, U.S. Attorney for UtahLet there be no mistake: the Department of Justice will not tolerate acts of violence or discrimination against people in this country based on their national origin, religion, or race.
In addition to the Arab-American, Muslim and Sikh representatives here today, I am pleased to be joined by:
Ralph Boyd, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
Jonathan Chase, Acting Director, Community Relations Service
Bob Jordan, Section Chief, Integrity in Government & Civil Rights, Criminal Investigation Division, FBIThank you.
Remarks of Attorney General John Ashcroft at a meeting of
Muslim, Arab, and Sikh groups, October 16, 2001
Page last updated October 23, 2001