(LOS ANGELES, CA – 3/7/2024) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) has received multiple complaints from members of the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities in Southern California who report that FBI agents have targeted them about matters related to the Israeli war on Gaza.
Federal and local law enforcement agents have allegedly approached community members, asking questions about whether they support or would offer support to Hamas, whether they support the use of violence in the region, and what their opinions are on Israel and Hamas.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Civil Rights Managing Attorney Dina Chehata, Esq. said:
“We are particularly concerned about the FBI questioning our community, given the FBI’s long-standing history of abusive surveillance. When it comes to American Muslims and other vulnerable communities, we know that federal agents often investigate individuals on the basis of their racial, ethnic, or religious characteristics rather than their actual propensity to commit a crime.
“This can and has had serious consequences for our community, and we have seen the devastating impact of these practices on American Muslims in Southern California.
“In the current climate, where pro-Palestinian advocacy is being penalized and heavily censored, we have profound concerns that it is also being criminalized. For that reason, we want people to exercise the utmost caution when talking to federal or local agents, and ideally, don’t do it without consulting an attorney.”
Federal law criminalizes providing material support to any group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, including financial support, food, clothing, and other humanitarian aid. Any questions posed by federal or local authorities on this matter, or any other, should be directed to and reviewed by an attorney.
CAIR-LA strongly recommends that community members do not speak to federal agents or local officers without the presence of counsel and urges the community to learn their rights when speaking with law enforcement.
If you are being contacted by federal or local authorities for voluntary questioning, please reach out immediately to CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177.
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