(LOS ANGELES, CA – 7/6/2023) – The Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations California (CAIR-LA) today condemned the burning of crosses in an alleged hate crime targeting a church serving predominantly Black and Latino communities in Sylmar, Calif.
On the morning of Thursday, July 6, three crosses in front of the Sylmar Christian Fellowship Church were reportedly set on fire using an accelerant, and one cross was knocked down to the ground. The House of Worship Task Force, made up of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), LA City Fire, and the FBI, was contacted and is investigating a possible biased motive for the incident.
SEE: Burning of Sylmar church crosses being investigated as possible hate crime
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“We strongly condemn this act of arson and stand in solidarity with the Black and Latino communities. We express our support and deep concern for the congregation affected by this troubling incident. It is essential that we come together as a society to denounce all acts of violence targeting houses of worship and work toward fostering a society in which every individual may practice their faith without fear of persecution or prejudice.
“We thank the LAPD and all others on the House of Worship Task Force for their prompt response and investigation into this incident.”
Ayloush noted that CAIR recently welcomed legal action in the cases of vandalism targeting churches in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
He urged religious institutions nationwide to take extra security precautions by using advice offered in CAIR’s booklet, “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety.” The advice in the booklet is applicable to institutions of all faiths.
CAIR and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
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.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or [email protected]