FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Dr. William Spriggs
011-27-83-981-3511
wspriggs@nul.org

STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE REGARDING U.S. DECISION TO PULL OUT OF WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM

New York, NY, Sept. 4, 2001– The National Urban League, which is participating in the World Conference Against Racism as one of several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is deeply disturbed by the U.S. decision to pull its delegation out of the Conference and by the language contained in paragraphs in a declaration passed by other NGOs which target Israel for condemnation.

The language of these paragraphs stands in sharp contrast and is profoundly offensive to the values held by the National Urban League and we do not support it. We further disagree with the breakdown in civility surrounding the discussion of those issues.

From the outset, the U.S. was lukewarm about participating in the World Conference, and sent a low-level delegation to Durban that had very little influence over revising the language of the conference declarations it opposed. That delegation then ultimately left because of proposed language. It is the League’s position that this plan of action was very contrived.

Despite U.S. objections to adverse attention paid to Israel, we urge the U.S. to remain involved in the World Conference, and to deal with the myriad of important issues on the agenda.

The expression of the League’s and other civil rights groups concerns and work does not end with this decision to pull out. The League will press this issue upon its return from the conference, and we are confident other groups will join us.