A Golden Dawn demonstration in Greece. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – A group of prominent Greek-American political and business leaders denounced the neo-Nazi Greek political party Golden Dawn.

“Radical extremists parading as political parties like Golden Dawn with their message of hatred and intolerance have no place in our society. We must work together as a global community to root out extremism and instead encourage policies that promote inclusion and equality, in keeping with the ideals of democracy established in Greece thousands of years ago,” said U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV).

Titus was joined by other Greek-American Congress members Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and John Sarbanes (D-MD), and several New York legislators and California businessmen, who in their own statements condemned Golden Dawn.

Golden Dawn—currently holding 16 out of 300 seats in the Greek parliament—actively promotes anti-Semitic, racist, and anti-immigrant views. The party is currently vying for a seat in the European Parliament in the upcoming May 25 elections.

Despite its extremist views and having several party members jailed, Golden Dawn is Greece’s fourth-largest political party and enjoys increasing popularity amid Greece’s ongoing economic crisis.

“We thank these Greek-American leaders for their strong stand against Golden Dawn, which is little known in America but a looming problem in Greece,” said World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder. “We hope their words will influence Greek citizens to reject this hateful, extremist party.”