(LOS ANGELES, CA – 3/13/2023) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the allegedly bias-motivated attack on three Black individuals in Santa Monica, Calif.
On Friday, the suspect, identified as Job Uriah Taylor, was arrested on two separate counts of attempted murder, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, as well as hate crime allegations.
Police were called to the scene when the suspect allegedly attacked and threatened a Black man with a metal pipe while yelling racial slurs. Thirty minutes later, police responded to a second incident involving Taylor, in which he reportedly physically assaulted two more Black individuals while yelling racial slurs, leaving one hospitalized.
SEE: Man wielding metal pipe charged with hate crime attacks in Santa Monica
In a statement, Interim Director for the Center for Prevention of Hate and Bullying Masih Fouladi said:
“There is no place in our society for anti-Black hate and racial violence. The initial reporting indicates that the depth of the suspect’s hatred for people of color drove him to violently attack not one, but three different individuals in the same day. This incident, as well as many others, continue to demonstrate the continued threat of racism to our society.
“We are thankful that the suspect is in custody and will continue to advocate for systemic changes to address anti-Black hate throughout our region.”
As a result of the increase in hate and bullying targeting people of faith as well as those of African, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Black, immigrant, Middle Eastern descent, CAIR-LA launched the Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bullying to address these incidents more proactively.
To report any bias incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 or click here to file a report.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com