Holocaust Museum Moves On After Shooting

(CBS/ AP)  Hundreds of visitors streamed into the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as it opened Friday for the first time since a security guard was shot to death by a man authorities identified as a rifle-toting 88-year-old white supremacist.

The museum, which was closed Thursday for a day of mourning, opened shortly after 10 a.m. Officials said the crowds seemed to be about the same size as usual this time of year.

Many visitors said they were determined not to let the shooting keep them away.

Liz Johnson, 35, led a group of 12 Girl Scouts dressed in lavender T-shirts. The members of the Dallas troop were among the first in line.

"To say that we can't do this because of this event is that man winning," Johnson said. "We're not going to let him win."

Few signs of the shooting remained outside the museum. The crime scene tape was gone, and the bullet-scarred front doors had been replaced.

About two dozen flower bouquets near the entrance formed a makeshift memorial to the slain guard, 39-year-old Stephen T. Johns. On top of one bouquet was a photo of Johns, who was black, with the inscription, "Truly a righteous Gentile."

Authorities have charged James von Brunn with murder in the Wednesday attack and are looking at possible hate crime charges. Von Brunn, who was shot in the face by other guards, remained in critical condition Friday.

At Temple Beth Shalom in Arnold, Md., near von Brunn's Annapolis home, Rabbi Ari Goldstein said he planned to talk with his congregation about what happened at regular Friday night services. He said he wants to make it clear that anti-Semitism and racism are still issues.

"This is where this guy (von Brunn) is from," Goldstein noted. "Our town is not free of this type of hate."

Goldstein said he and a local black minister brought anti-Semitic and racist activity to the attention of local police several years ago after residents found leaflets in their mailboxes and driveways. The clergy filed a police report, but investigators told them the leaflets fell under the realm of free speech.

Goldstein said the congregation will recite poems and other writings in honor of Johns.

[mnbrant]

Democrats, the vermin for which the second amendment was written think they are superior and cen trample rights and murder babies, and well I tried to inform you but it is train time friday, so have a good weekend, do soem reading lefty morons!! YOU are the racists and evil swine.
Posted by ralpherus at 1:07 PM : Jun 12, 2009

Vermin and swine? Why don't you spit it out and say Democrats are Jews? I am a Democrat who is may become a Jew. Maybe that would solve the problem.

[mnbrant]

Only 1 in every 10,000 people will meet a violent end in this country - I'm willing to bet on being in the 9,999 who don't rather than be frightened enough to buy a weapon. BTW the reason that it's 1 in 10,000 and not 1 in 50 - 100,000, like everywhere else in the western world, is because of your beloved NRA and their love of guns.
Posted by dartplayer501 at 1:09 PM : Jun 12, 2009

Actually only 1 in 20,000 meet a violent end in this country. There are however no statistics on gun ownership affecting homicide rates. Since in most homicides one or both are either drunk or on drugs, I would think gun ownership would make the chance of a person dieing go way up. Support gun control now. When all those gun toting retirees start getting their social security checks cut. The person they may take out will be YOU!

[lynn1452]

What is a white supremacist going driving a South Korean-made car? Just asking.;

[dbaecht]

"by zonkzilla June 12, 2009 8:26 AM PDT
Millions of German solidiers could not destroy the Jewish people, one old Nazi is not going to shut down the memorial.
We definitely also need a memorial to the Native American holocaust, some estimates put the number of Native Americans killed in North America in the 500 years ( the longest holocaust in history) as high as 90 million people.
The genocide of Native Americans is one of the most horrible events in world history and yet it is hidden and forgotten.
Were is the Native American holocaust memorial?
I ask the Jewish people to help with a demand for a memorial to the Native Americans who were also victims of the same type of genocide and holocaust."

As a Native American I agree with your post, the problem is it will never happen. Religion and greed will keep it from ever being a reality.

[taxchurches]

What I love is that right above this story on the homepage is Rev. Wright spewing anti-Semitism.

[dartplayer501]

YOU are the racists and evil swine.
Posted by ralpherus

I guess you've run off home by now - but that last statement sure doesn't sound like you believe in liberty and justice for all. Sounds more like liberty for fascsts and death to anyone who disagrees. Now where have I heard that before????

[dartplayer501]

If you want to be defenseless, OK, but Americans find that to be very stupid...and fatal.
Posted by ralpherus

Only 1 in every 10,000 people will meet a violent end in this country - I'm willing to bet on being in the 9,999 who don't rather than be frightened enough to buy a weapon. BTW the reason that it's 1 in 10,000 and not 1 in 50 - 100,000, like everywhere else in the western world, is because of your beloved NRA and their love of guns.

[ralpherus]

dart- like a democrat, you are a parasite!! free health care...shove off you tick.

[ralpherus]

I like that the USA was formed to protect our rights among which are the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness, right to keep and bear arms (for self and city and state and national defense)...the protection of our rights to our own creativity and that when the government is infected by evil vermin, it is our right and duty to abolish it. And that my rights are no better, OR LESSER than my fellow citizens. Democrats, the vermin for which the second amendment was written think they are superior and cen trample rights and murder babies, and well I tried to inform you but it is train time friday, so have a good weekend, do soem reading lefty morons!! YOU are the racists and evil swine.

[kayslug]

Isn't there supposed to be separation of Church and State in this country? Why does this museum bear the United States name?

Also, pity the poor girl scouts that were exposed to this grim history today.