(LOS ANGELES, CA – 8/25/2022) – The Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the sickening display of racism shown in text messages sent between Torrance police and demanded that those involved face severe disciplinary action.
Portions of text messages from about a dozen police officers sparked an investigation by the California Attorney General’s office and exposed a series of alarmingly racist and homophobic messages. The messages included discussions of hurting and killing Black suspects.
SEE:
- New racist texts reveal Torrance cops talked about hurting and killing Black suspects
- CAIR-LA Condemns Racist, Anti-semitic Texts Sent by Torrance Police Officers, Calls for Criminal Charges
In a separate filing, the LA County District Attorney’s office revealed 390 antisemitic, racist, homophobic, or transphobic remarks that officers had made between 2018 and 2020. Documents included appallingly racist cartoons of Black and Latino residents as well as remarks about lynching suspects and killing Black children.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Deputy Executive Director Masih Fouladi said:
“We are appalled that despite the evidence shown last year, and the surfacing of new text messages, that the police officers involved have not faced any consequences. This is not an isolated incident—law enforcement agencies have a history of institutionalized racism that results in excessive force against people of color.
“Not only have these officers been involved in criminal cases regarding the harming and killing of Black suspects, but they present a sickening display of racism in the text messages which must not be tolerated. Despite various investigations and push from the CA Attorney General and LA District Attorneys’ office, we still have not seen any action taken towards the officers involved.
“The police officers in Torrance cannot be expected to protect these communities if they are acting from a position of hate.
“While some officers have been placed on administrative leave, it is critical that the department take serious action against those involved before the statute of limitation for discipline and misconduct is reached.”
As a result of the increase in hate and discrimination against 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.
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