Holder to Americans: No 'Retaliation' for Boston

Attorney general cautions against backlash against innocents
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 29, 2013 11:34 AM CDT
Holder to Americans: No 'Retaliation' for Boston
Attorney General Eric Holder testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 18, 2013.   (AP Photo/Molly Riley)

The US will bring the Boston terrorists to justice, said Eric Holder in a speech today—while cautioning Americans against retaliation. "Just as we will pursue relentlessly anyone who would target our people or attempt to terrorize our cities, the Justice Department is firmly committed to protecting innocent people against misguided acts of retaliation," the attorney general said to the Anti-Defamation League, per Politico, ostensibly warning against acts directed at Chechens or Muslims, who share an ethnic or religious background with the Tsarnaevs.

Holder cited "more than 800 incidents involving threats, assaults, and acts of vandalism and violence targeting Muslims, Arabs, Sikhs, South Asians, and others who are perceived to be members of these groups" since 9/11, and urged Americans to "resolve once more to help our fellow citizens to meet fear with reason ... We must not tolerate acts of hatred. And we must reaffirm every day ... that justice and public safety are not in tension. They rely upon one another." (More Eric Holder stories.)

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