(ANAHEIM, CA, 11/20/15) – The Greater Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called for an investigation of an anti-Islam post on Instagram by a person who is shown posing in a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) uniform standing next to a patrol car, suggesting he is a sergeant with that department.
The apparent LAPD officer, with the username "la_5_o,” posted an image on his Instagram account entitled, "Japan keeps Islam at bay by putting restriction on Islam and ALL Muslims." The anti-Muslim information in the viral image has been debunked by experts. In commenting on the image, the “officer” wrote, "maybe something can be learned from this photo?"
View Image of Anti-Muslim Post:
"Demonizing an entire group of people is the first step toward treating them unjustly,” said CAIR-LA Public Affairs Coordinator Haroon Manjlai. “Law enforcement officers hold a critical position in our communities and it is vital for them to interact with individuals based on mutual respect, regardless of faith or ethnicity."
Manjlai added: “CAIR is a firm supporter of the Constitution's First Amendment right to free speech, including the right to bigoted speech like that expressed in this post. However, it is extremely disturbing for law enforcement personnel, who are sworn to serve and protect, to harbor and blatantly express such prejudice against an entire segment of our society.”
CAIR-LA is calling on the LAPD to investigate the matter and to take “appropriate” action based on the results of that investigation.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Ojaala Ahmad, 714-776-1847, oahmad@cair.com