The Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today welcomed the hate crime charges filed against five suspects in connection with a violent attack targeting a Black teenager outside a movie theater in California’s Simi Valley over the summer.
SEE: Hate crime charges filed against teen suspects in Simi Valley attack caught on video
A widely circulated video posted to Instagram from Aug. 2 shows a group of teenagers chasing 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 suffered a concussion, back injuries, and a chipped tooth from the assault.
The charges filed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office include felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and the special allegation of a hate crime. The suspects, ranging in age from 16 to 17, are scheduled for arraignment on Oct. 10.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“The violent and hate-motivated attack against Michael Robinson is deeply disturbing and sickening. A group of young men chasing down and brutally assaulting a Black teenager echoes the vile history of racial terror in this country. This is not an isolated incident; it is part of a long and shameful pattern of racial violence that continues to threaten Black lives today.
“We welcome the Ventura County District Attorney’s decision to file hate crime charges against the suspects, and we urge the community and authorities alike to remain vigilant in condemning hate in all its forms. Accountability is essential—especially when hate leads to targeted, violent attacks against our youth. We stand with Michael, his family, and the Simi Valley community in demanding that justice be fully served and that the perpetrators are held responsible 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