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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Brenda Bowser Soder 202-370-3323, bowsersoderb@humanrightsfirst.org

Response of Human Rights First to US Holocaust Museum Shooting

WASHINGTON

Today, as investigators continue to unravel what led to the senseless shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, Human Rights First Director of Policy and Programs Tad Stahnke issued the following statement:

"Reports from the tragic shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. indicate that the incident may have been motivated by the perpetrator's known antisemitic and racist views. This incident is a startling reminder of the harm that hate crimes inflict on society in the United States and, indeed, throughout the world. A robust official response to this tragedy, including a thorough investigation into the perpetrator's motive, can demonstrate and set an example of the enduring commitment of the United States to protect all individuals regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other similar status, both here and abroad. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time."

Human Rights First is a non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization based in New York and Washington D.C. Human Rights First believes that building respect for human rights and the rule of law will help ensure the dignity to which every individual is entitled and will stem tyranny, extremism, intolerance, and violence.