Thank Baca, Sanchez, Richardson for their Observations at
Washington Hearing
Los Angeles, CA: The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) calls on all Americans to thank Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) and Congresswoman Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) for presenting a strong voice that affirmed American Muslims’ partnership in protecting the homeland and a level-headed counter to the McCarthyesque hearing held by Congressman Peter King (R-New York) on Muslims and Radicalization, says a CAIR press release.
In the hearing, Sheriff Baca testified:
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has long been a leader in the development of relationships with the various ethnic, cultural and religious communities that thrive in the Los Angeles area. Nowhere is that relationship more positive than that which exists between my agency and the American Muslim Community. We have established strong bonds through continuing outreach and physical presence at events important to the community and law enforcement. I would caution that to comment only on the extent of radicalization in the American Muslim Community may be viewed as singling out a particular section of our nation. This makes a false assumption that any particular religion or group is more prone to radicalization than others.”
Also at the hearing, Homeland Security Subcommittee members Congresswoman Sanchez and Congresswoman Richardson expressed concerns over singling out one religious group and advocated for American Muslims’ Constitutional rights.
Rep. Sanchez, during the hearing, challenged Arizona resident Zuhdi Jasser - a right-wing fringe activist who suggests Muslims abandon their constitutional rights - whether he believes Muslim Americans should not have an attorney present when FBI agents knock on their doors. She said: “As a minority, I would advocate they should have attorney present when talked to by FBI. Why should ANY minority waive that?”
Moreover, Homeland Security Subcommittee member Rep. Richardson compared King to McCarthy and stated: “I believe the narrow focus of this hearing is discriminatory, and it is an abuse of power.”
