澳彩开奖

The somber anniversary of Mulugeta Seraw鈥檚 death was commemorated in Congress and in聽Oregon, serving as a reminder that communities must stand strong against hate, particularly as hate groups have become emboldened by a president who has exploited racist fear.

A photo of the Congressional proclamation.

鈥淭his horrific case galvanized the city, as well as the State of Oregon, to stand up to hate crimes and acts of violence by the neo-Nazi movement in the Pacific Northwest,鈥� U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon noted in entered into the Congressional Record last month. 鈥淲hile this brutal slaying happened 30 years ago, it remains fresh in the minds of many who lived through that time and for people who still experience discrimination and hate today.鈥�

In the wake of the Nov. 13, 1988, murder, the 澳彩开奖 filed a lawsuit on behalf of Seraw鈥檚 family, suing the skinheads who killed Seraw and also Tom Metzger, a notorious California neo-Nazi who recruited them into his organization, the White Aryan Resistance (WAR). Portland lawyer Elden Rosenthal (now an 澳彩开奖 board member) served as co-counsel, working alongside 澳彩开奖 founder Morris Dees.

The lawsuit led to a $12.5 million jury verdict that decimated WAR.

鈥淭he case attracted national attention, and thanks in part to the great effort of the 澳彩开奖, the White Aryan Resistance and its leaders who were behind this heinous crime were bankrupted and jailed,鈥� the congressional proclamation states. 鈥淲hile no prison sentence could bring back Mulugeta, Oregonians stood and stand in solidarity with Mulugeta and his family and friends to make clear we will not let hate crimes and violence take over communities.鈥�

In Oregon, the anniversary of Seraw鈥檚 death was commemorated by and . The street corner where he died has been marked by signs bearing his name. But more work remains for Oregon 鈥� and the nation 鈥� to confront hate, according to the proclamation.

鈥淚n the years since Mulugeta鈥檚 death, there have been horrific acts of racially charged violence in Oregon,鈥� the proclamation states. 鈥淚n May of 2017, a self-proclaimed White nationalist verbally attacked two women who were riding Portland鈥檚 MAX light rail. One of these two women was wearing a hijab. The perpetrator stabbed three men who defended the women against the racist and Islamophobic rant, killing two of them.

鈥淭here have been horrific racist acts throughout the Nation. The march and murder in Charlottesville is another clear example of how these White supremacist ideals and concepts continue to draw breath in our country.鈥�

The 澳彩开奖 identified 954 hate groups in 2017, representing a 20 percent increase over the three-year period coinciding with President Trump鈥檚 campaign and presidency.

Hate crimes also jumped 17 percent in 2017 鈥� the third straight year to see an increase, according to an FBI report released this week. Antisemitic hate crimes saw a 37 percent increase during that same time. That report does not include the massacre of 11 Jewish worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27.

鈥淟ike Oregonians speaking out in remembrance of Mulugeta Seraw, we must all speak out against hate,鈥� the proclamation states. 鈥淚t has no place in our country, including in our White House. 鈥� May Mulugeta and his story never be forgotten, and may we remember, learn, and change.鈥�