Photo Credit: Nick Gerda/LAist
(LOS ANGELES, CA – 11/4/2024) – – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) todaywelcomed the resignation of former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do following his guilty plea to federal bribery charges. CAIR-LA also called on the OC Board of Supervisors to reaffirm their commitment to combatting Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hate.
SEE:
- Orange County Supervisor Agrees to Plead Guilty to Bribery Conspiracy Involving $10 Million in COVID Relief Funds
- Former OC Supervisor Andrew Do pleads guilty in federal court to bribery charge
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, former Supervisor Do announced his resignation from his position on the OC Board of Supervisors; on Thursday, Oct. 31, following an investigation by federal agencies, he pled guilty to a felony federal charge for allegedly acceptingmore than $550,000 in bribes to direct and vote in favor of more than $10 million in COVID-19 relief funds to a charity affiliated with one of his daughters.
Supervisor Do also has a long history of exhibiting Islamophobia and xenophobia, openly participating in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian messaging during his time in office. In August 2023, Supervisor Dorefused to acknowledge American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Monthand was the only OC Supervisor to not sign the proclamation recognizing the month dedicated to honoring the social, cultural, and economic contributions of Muslim Americans.
He alsocosigned a statementin October 2023, which made no mention of the 1,400 Palestinians killed in Israel’s violent military assault on Gaza just days before. The statement labeled violence and terrorism as “Islamic,” fueling harmful stereotypes suggesting a connection between Islam and violence and perpetuating bias that jeopardizes the safety of Orange County’s Muslim residents.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“Our elected officials have the responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities by promoting the values of inclusivity, tolerance, and integrity, and Supervisor Do’s history of Islamophobic rhetoric and alleged embezzlement of federal COVID relief funds has been a profound betrayal ofthose values. His resignation is a chance for the next elected supervisor, and the OC Board of Supervisors, to distance themselves from Supervisor Do’s alleged corruption and mistreatment of the Muslim community.
“With the alarming increase and persistence in hate and bias against the Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab communities, we urge the Board to reaffirm its commitment to combating Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hate, and ensuring that all Orange County residents, regardless of faith and ethnicity, are met with dignity, respect, and fairness
CAIR-LAsent a letterto the OC Board of Supervisors calling on them to reaffirm their commitment to combatting Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hate and take meaningful steps to promote understanding, fairness, and inclusiveness in Orange County.
In 2024, CAIR-LA has seen a 281% increase in hate crimes and hate incidents, while CAIR’s national office reported the highest number of complaints in its 30-year history. Students, professionals, and other community members have reported facing threats, physical attacks, discrimination, harassment, and doxing due to their Muslim, Palestinian, or Arab identities, or their support for Palestine.
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, promotejusticeand empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT:CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi,(714) 851-4851oreelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Madi Morse-Hameed,mmorse-hameed@cair.com
