Photo credit: Julie Leopo | Voice of OC
(LOS ANGELES, CA – 3/5/2024) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today expressed gratitude to Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento for urging Orange County delegation members to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
SEE: Supervisor Sarmiento’s Letter Calling for a Ceasefire
On Thursday, Feb. 29, Supervisor Sarmiento sent an official letter to Orange County’s congressional delegation expressing concern over the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urging the delegation members to support a call for an immediate ceasefire.
In his letter, Supervisor Sarmiento said:
“I strongly urge that you consider voicing your support for an immediate ceasefire in your capacity as a representative of Orange County, especially as we witness the rising number of hate related incidents directed towards our Jewish and Muslim communities. Your influence can contribute to positive change, and a peaceful resolution that aligns with our shared commitment to humanitarian values.”
CAIR-LA sent a letter to Supervisor Sarmiento expressing thanks for his principled stance in advocating for a ceasefire and for emphasizing how the ongoing atrocities and violence in Gaza impacts the Palestinian, Arab, Jewish, and Muslim communities here at home as hate incidents rise.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“We thank Supervisor Sarmiento for his statement calling on Orange County’s congressional delegation to support an immediate ceasefire and an end to the horrific violence and humanitarian disaster being inflicted on Gaza by Israel. An overwhelming majority of Americans demand a permanent ceasefire and accountability for the genocide perpetrated by Israel, and we hope this will encourage other elected officials in Orange County to align with the will of the majority of their constituents.”
Since Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza began on Oct. 7, it has destroyed entire residential neighborhoods and critical infrastructure, displaced over one million people, and killed nearly 30,000 civilians, including over 10,000 children. Human rights organizations and advocates from all over the world have stated that Israel’s cutting off of food, water, electricity, and medicine while it also indiscriminately drops bombs homes, hospitals, bakeries, schools, mosques, churches, and even refugee camps in Gaza, amounts to war crimes.
CAIR-LA urges all local and national leaders to stand for peace and justice by supporting the Ceasefire Now Resolution (HR 786).
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