September 17, 2001—The staff of the National Urban League, its more than 100 affiliates and their constituents, extend their deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the American citizens who lost their lives or remain missing in the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, DC. We also extend these condolences to the passengers and crews aboard the aircrafts involved in this tragedy.

"We urge our constituents and all Americans to bear in mind that patriotism should not give way to vigilantism, and that hate crimes perpetrated against Arab Americans or American citizens of Muslim faith are not an acceptable way to express our pain and anger," said National Urban League executive vice president and chief operating officer Milton J. Little, Jr.

"Such senseless acts of violence against innocent Americans only defile the memories of those who perished, and perpetuate the type of hatred and intolerance that inspired the attacks."

All of the staff of the National Urban League is safe and accounted for, and the building which houses our office, located just blocks away from the World Trade Center at 120 Wall Street, was not damaged in the attack and will reopen for business on Tuesday, September 18.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those no longer with us, those who are grieving, and those who have been otherwise touched by the events of September 11, 2001.