Press Release

September 24, 2001

NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL INSTITUTE CALLS FOR TOLERANCE FOR ALL ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National MultiCultural Institute commends President and Mrs. Bush, Mayor Giuliani, and all our political and civic leaders who have spoken out against the targeting of people of Muslim faith and Middle Eastern appearance.

Despite these declarations of concern, a great many immigrants and ethnic and religious minorities are feeling vulnerable and unsafe because of the growing number of random insults, harassment and threats. In the past two weeks there have been close to 500 reported incidents and 2 deaths potentially attributable to hate crimes. One of the major reasons many of these newcomers originally came to the U.S. was to escape from the same terrorist elements that are now threatening the U.S.

“In our anger and anxiety about the recent despicable acts of terrorism, it is important that we not make assumptions about people who may look or act differently from ourselves. Doing so will only hand the terrorists a victory,” said Elizabeth Pathy Salett, President of the National MultiCultural Institute. “We should keep in mind that many immigrants have come to this country to escape from the same terrorists who are now threatening the United States,” she added.

The National MultiCultural Institute urges every American to respect our diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds and urges the media and all our leaders to speak out forcefully and repeatedly against these acts which impact not only those directly affected, and those thousands of others who feel at risk and unsafe, but also our free society.

The National MultiCultural Institute is a private non-profit organization founded in 1983 whose mission is to work with individuals, organizations, and communities in creating a society that is strengthened and empowered by its diversity. We stand ready to facilitate dialogue in workplaces and communities.

Contact: Liz Salett
National MultiCultural Institute
202-483-0700 (ext. 224)
Email: Salett@nmci.org; Web: www.nmci.org