The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the recent racist attack targeting a pregnant street vendor in Simi Valley, California, and called for a hate crime investigation by the Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD).
SEE:
- Simi Valley woman goes on racist rant, accused of knocking pregnant street vendor to the ground
- Pregnant street vendor files civil rights lawsuit against Simi Valley woman after alleged attack
Videos recording the incident showed a woman, identified as Julie Christine Sanchez, approaching the pregnant street vendor, identified as Mary, and making racist comments. Sanchez can be seen on video stating, “You bring down my property values,” and telling Mary to “speak English” before ramming the food cart into Mary, causing her to fall to the ground.
The SVPD reportedly arrested Sanchez on battery charges, and civil rights attorneys representing Mary announced they are filing a lawsuit against Sanchez for the attack. The case has reportedly been forwarded to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for further review, and Sanchez has been issued a summons to appear in Ventura County Superior Court on May 14.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“This disturbing attack against a vulnerable member of our community—a pregnant street vendor simply trying to earn a living—cannot be brushed aside. Hate and violence have no place in our communities and this appalling act, seemingly motivated by bigotry, is shocking. We call on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident as a hate crime.”
To report any bias incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 or click here to file a report.
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, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
– END –
CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com