NCJ Number
115446
Date Published
1987
Length
95 pages
Annotation
This report describes and gives a chronological summary of incidents of harassment, vandalism, arson, assault, and murder motivated by racism, anti-semitism, or other forms of bigotry in each State between 1980 and 1986.
Abstract
Information was gathered from newspaper clippings, court documents, reports by human rights agencies and government bodies, and field reports. An overview notes that hate violence is the product of both organized activity and spontaneous action. In addition, the character of violence by members of far-right, racist, and anti-semitic organizations has changed markedly since its re-emergence in the late 1970's. These organizations have become increasingly ideological in their choice of targets and more technically sophisticated in their weaponry. Black people, other minorities, and Jews are the largest targets of organized hate violence. In addition, the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi groups have increasingly targeted homosexual people for physical attack and intimidation. Some neo-Nazi organizations have also targeted law enforcement personnel. Nevertheless, society has no established public policy towards the problem, and sections of society do not see the need to redress immediately the violence directed at some classes of victims. Legislative remedies and training programs for law enforcement personnel and other professionals are recommended.