The Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA), today condemned the recent revelations of racist and bigoted text messages sent by several Antioch Police Department officers.
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said:
“Such language is not only unacceptable but also deeply damaging to the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
“The fact that these messages were sent by those sworn to protect and serve is particularly concerning and underscores the need for systemic change within law enforcement. It is a stark reminder of the pervasive racism and bias that still exist within our society and the urgent need for action to address them.
“CAIR-SFBA calls on the Antioch Police Department to take swift and appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. We also urge the department to take steps to ensure that all officers receive cultural competency and anti-bias training to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
“Moreover, we call on our elected officials to support policies that address systemic racism and promote accountability and transparency in law enforcement. Only by working together can we hope to build a society that is just, equitable, and free from bigotry and discrimination.
“We stand in solidarity with all those affected by these hateful messages and remain committed to fighting for justice and equality for all.”
READ MORE: Racist Text Message Investigation