WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) (www.alexodeh.org) launched a national petition calling on the Department of Justice to hold those responsible for Alex Odeh's murder accountable. Today marks the 28th anniversary of Odeh's death.
ADC President Warren David said, "50 years ago, NAACP leader Medgar Evers, was shot to death in his driveway. It took 33 years until his murderer was brought to justice." Mr. David went on to say, "After 28 years, ADC and the Arab American community are still demanding justice for Alex Odeh."
On the morning of October 11, 1985, in the city of Santa Ana, California, a pipe bomb exploded as Alex Odeh opened the door to the Southern California Regional Office of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). Alex was pronounced dead at the local hospital. The explosion injured seven other people and demolished the office. Shortly after the attack, the FBI identified three individuals they believe held some responsibility for the bombing. Those suspects, holding both American and Israeli passports, fled immediately to Israel.
On November 9, 1985, the FBI named the Jewish Defense League (JDL) as the terrorist organization behind Alex Odeh's murder. On July 16, 1986, while testifying at a Congressional hearing, FBI Executive Assistant Director Oliver Revell confirmed that "extremist elements" responsible for Alex's murder had been identified.
The FBI has designated the JDL as a right-wing terrorist group. The Southern Poverty Law Center lists the JDL as a hate group for its "long history of bombing, assaulting and threatening its perceived enemies" such as "Palestinian leaders, prominent black Americans and even Jewish moderates."
Raed Jarrar, ADC Director of Communications and Advocacy said, "We call on Attorney General Eric Holder and the Department of Justice to hold those responsible for Alex Odeh's murder accountable." Mr. Jarrar added, "No indictments have been made and individuals believed by the FBI to hold some responsibility for the killing have not been interviewed or questioned to date."
For media inquiries, please contact ADC at (202) 244-2990 or media@adc.org.