In a statement, The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore and the Baltimore Jewish Council thanked law enforcement agencies Feb. 6 for their arrests of two suspects — one of whom is reportedly a well-known neo-Nazi leader — before they could launch an attack on Baltimore’s power grid system to “completely destroy this whole city.”
The suspects, Brandon Clint Russell of Orlando, Florida, and Catonsville resident Sarah Beth Clendaniel, were taken into custody last week. Authorities described the plot as “racially or ethnically motivated.”
Russell, 27, is a founder of the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group. Clendaniel, 34, planned to damage power stations in Norrisville, Reisterstown and Perry Hall, as well as two others in the Baltimore metropolitan region.
“The Baltimore Jewish Council and The Associated want to express our thanks to our law enforcement partners for their efforts thwart an attack on energy infrastructure in the Baltimore area planned by two neo-Nazis,” the statement read. “The arrests remind us that extremist hate and domestic terrorism remain an ongoing and growing threat to our communities. Similarly, we have seen a steady rise in antisemitic incidents here in Maryland and across our nation. The investments that we make in our community’s collective security — from personnel to cameras to other infrastructure — are so important, and we value the work of our federal, state, and local elected officials to help provide financial resources.
“Together, all Marylanders must stand vigilant against hate and extremism in all forms. Fighting hate requires the collective work of our entire community –- law enforcement, elected officials, nonprofit entities, faith partners, and each of us as individuals.”
Clendaniel and Russell were set to make their initial appearances before federal magistrates in Baltimore and Orlando on Monday afternoon.
This June, Pikesville resident Guy Taylor, a junior at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community Day School, will receive the Congressional Award, which recognizes service, initiative and achievement among young Americans.
With her documentary, local journalist Rona Kobell explores the environmental and social conditions of the Eastern Shore's Deal Island.
In Kenya, MSI is working with local organizations to help provide access to contraception so girls can continue their education and pursue their dreams.
Avi Jacobs and Avraham Zhu emerged victorious at JewQ, held recently in Stamford, Connecticut.