(LOS ANGELES, CA – 6/3/2020) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today welcomed an Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) investigation into a deputy sheriff caught on camera wearing a patch supporting right-wing paramilitary groups on his uniform.
The investigation comes on the heels of community members and activists complaints about an unidentified deputy in Costa Mesa on Tuesday night in response to a protest of the murder of George Floyd.
A publicly shared video shows the deputy wearing on his uniform what appeared to be a patch of the United States flag partially covered by the logo of the Three Percenters above the word “Oathkeeper,” located in the middle of his tactical vest.
SEE: OC Sheriff deputy forgoing his name badge to wear a patch promoting the far right, racist Three-Percenter militia group at tonight’s protest in Costa Mesa.
The Three Percenters is a patriot movement that pledges armed resistance against attempts to restrict private gun ownership. The group was co-founded in 2008 by Mike Vanderboegh, who is well known for his violent rhetoric. He published an online novel describing a future confrontation where activists with patriot movement views engage in a shootout with law enforcement and plan to murder government officials.
In Idaho, the group has mobilized religious hatred and xenophobic hostility, organizing public rallies against Syrian refugee resettlement.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit civil rights organization, has described the “Oath Keepers” as a “fiercely anti-government, militaristic group.”
https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/antigovernment
In a release, the OCSD said it is conducting an internal investigation.
Sheriff Don Barnes said, in part:
“This deputy’s decision to wear these patches, and the implication of his association with an extremist group, is unacceptable and deeply concerning to me.
“Any symbol can have multiple meanings and is open to interpretation, which is why wearing of non-approved symbols and patches is strictly prohibited. Instances like this can forge a wedge separating law enforcement from the community we serve, especially during these turbulent times.”
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“We are encouraged by the quick response from Sheriff Barnes to initiate an investigation into this matter. We ask for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to formulate a clear policy against the display of such offensive material.
“Furthermore, we ask that officers and staff who engage in such behavior that undermines the community’s confidence be held accountable. These measures will signal to the community at large that we all stand together in ensuring there is zero tolerance to any form of racism in our county.”
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Eugene W. Fields, 714-851-4851 or efields@cair.com