For Immediate Release

 ADCNJ mourns the senseless killing of a Jersey City family

West Caldwell: January 17, 2004:  The NJ Chapter of ADC, the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, ADCNJ, mourns the senseless and horrible death of the Armanious family in Jersey City, NJ. The bodies of Armanious family were discovered early Friday, when worried relatives led police to their home in the Heights section of Jersey City. Our community urges law enforcement and other agencies to fully and tirelessly pursue those involved and bring them to justice.

            While authorities maintain that no motive has been ruled out, news of an Internet threat against the Armanious family spread quickly. We urge the media and all concerned citizens not to jump to any conclusions and allow the investigation to proceed unencumbered by any rumors or allegations.

Aref Assaf, President of ADCNJ stated, “Any crime against civilians regardless of motive or justification contravene of the covenants of all world religions and the civilized world. “ He added, “Ethnic or sectarian motives must be rejected as a justification for taking human life.  It is imperative not to escalate the gravity of the crime by further fostering baseless generalizations and or suppositions about widespread religious strife between Muslims and Christians. Religious and community leaders must unequivocally condemn the crime and the perpetrators.

ADCNJ extends its deepest condolences to the relatives and friends of the Armanious family and we share with them the tragedy and the loss of life.

ADC New Jersey is a grassroots civil rights organization which welcomes people of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnicities as members. The New Jersey Chapter is part of ADC, a not-for-profit civil rights organization based in Washington, DC.