ADL Denounces Farrakhan's Hateful Rhetoric Used During Campus Conference at UC Berkeley; Applauds Chancellor Birgeneau and President Yudof for Highlighting How Farrakhan's Remarks Contravene Principles of Community

SAN FRANCISCO, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Minister Louis Farrakhan, the anti-Semitic and racist leader of the Nation of Islam, delivered an address to participants at the Afrikan Black Coalition, which focused largely on discouraging Black-Jewish dialogue and promoting "The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews," an anti-Semitic book which claims that slavery was initiated by Jewish ship owners and merchants.  African American students from colleges and universities across California attended this conference which was organized by Berkeley's Black Student Association (BSA). Individual students, student groups and the Daily Californian decried Farrakhan's appearance, citing his presence as insulting to "the culture of diversity and inclusiveness" at Berkeley.

Nancy Appel, ADL Associate Director, stated:

"While we recognize the right of Berkeley's BSA to select speakers for the conference, ADL was gravely disappointed by its decision to invite a key note speaker known for anti-Semitic, homophobic and misogynistic viewpoints. Rather than choose a speaker who reflects the mission of the conference and of the university, BSA instead honored a speaker infamous for instigating divisiveness and for empowering certain groups at the expense of others."

Over the weekend, both Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau and UC President Yudof expressed dissatisfaction and distress over BSA's decision to welcome Farrakhan.  Birgeneau's statement emphasized how Farrakhan's appearance "was in direct opposition to the principles of community and inclusion that we have consistently articulated for the campus."

Appel also noted:

"We are heartened to see that both Chancellor Birgeneau and UC President Yudof are utilizing their free speech rights to unequivocally condemn Farrakhan's hate mongering and to make clear that the University and UC System do not support his message."

ADL's fully updated backgrounder, "Farrakhan In His Own Words" is available on our website at http://www.adl.org/special_reports/farrakhan_own_words2/farrakhan_own_words.asp.   

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

SOURCE Anti-Defamation League

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