The Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned a recent racist attack allegedly targeting a Black teenager outside a movie theater in Simi Valley, California. CAIR-LA also called on the Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) to conduct a full investigation into the incident, and on the Ventura County District Attorney’s (DA) Office to bring hate crime charges against the perpetrators.
SEE:
- Teen brutally assaulted outside Simi Valley movie theater says attack was racially-motivated
- ‘He was hunted down’: Teen attacked outside Simi Valley movie theater; 4 arrested
A widely circulated video posted to Instagram from Aug. 2 shows a group of teenagers chasing the victim, identified as 18-year-old Michael Robinson, outside Regal Cinemas and physically assaulting him. In the video, the group can also be heard yelling racial slurs during the attack.
Robinson stated that the assailants slammed him into the hood of a car, pushed him into a trash can, and repeatedly hit him in the back of his head. The group has reportedly targeted other Black and Brown teenagers previously in similar incidents.
Four suspects—allegedly including the teenage son of a SVPD officer—were arrested on battery charges in connection with the attack. In a statement, the SVPD announced the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be added. The case will be presented to the Ventura County DA’s Office.
On Aug. 4, community members attended a Simi Valley City Council meeting for public comment, calling for hate crime charges to be brought against the suspects.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“The violent and hate-motivated attack targeting Robinson, a Black teenager, is disturbing and sickening. A group of white, young men chasing down and brutally assaulting a Black youth echoes the vile history of racial lynchings in this country. And this is not an isolated act; it is part of a long and shameful pattern of racial violence that continues to threaten Black lives today.
“As we witness an increase in racism and bigotry targeting our communities, we must continue to unequivocally condemn hate in all its forms and take action to hold the perpetrators accountable—especially when hate leads to targeted violence against our youth.
“We join the Simi Valley community in calling on the SVPD and the Ventura County DA to conduct a thorough investigation into this attack as a hate crime and for the assailants to be held fully accountable for their appalling actions.”
To report any bias incidents, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at (714) 776-1177 (ext. 2) 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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com;CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com