(LOS ANGELES, CA – 4/24/2019) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today denounced a hateful tweet posted on the Fontana Police Department’s Twitter account attacking Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.
According to the San Bernardino Sun, the tweet was posted at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, attacking Rep. Tlaib, who encouraged supporters to engage in action to protect migrants from abuses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The tweet read:
“Nice knowing you! I became bulimic because I vomit every time I hear your BS,” the tweet read. “You are one of the most un-American person s I know. You are a disgrace to the office you hold.”
The tweet was deleted after reporters reached out to Fontana police. Another tweet was sent out claiming “someone gained access” to the police department’s Twitter account. A department spokesman claimed the account had been hacked.
SEE: Fontana police say tweet calling congresswoman ‘un-American’ was result of hacking
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“We condemn the tweet sent out by the Fontana Police Department attacking a member of Congress with such hate and vitriol. We find it highly unlikely someone hacked the Twitter account of the Fontana Police Department to send out one specific tweet. The current trend of normalizing hate speech has emboldened bigots in their speech, as well as in their actions and it is obvious that bigotry exists within the ranks of the Fontana Police Department.
We call for the Fontana Police Department and the Fontana City Council to conduct an open and thorough investigation into the matter. We also ask the results of the investigation to be shared with the residents of Fontana and the public-at-large.”
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
– END –
CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Eugene W. Fields, 714-776-1847 or efields@cair.com