Editorial: LA to Increase Investigation of Hate Crimes

March 25, 2003

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 25, 2003 the Los Angeles Times printed an editorial stating that "as the war in Iraq began last week, state and local leaders put police forces and emergency workers on alert against terrorist attacks. In Los Angeles, they also announced they would beef up their investigation and prosecution of hate crimes, a clear message that homeland security extends to Muslims and Arab Americans... Most recently, police are investigating as a hate crime the Feb. 22 beating of an 18-year-old Arab American by a pack of 30 young men in Yorba Linda. And earlier this month a man allegedly verbally assaulted three Muslim women in a Venice restaurant, threatening them when they complained... Gov. Gray Davis, Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn and Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo publicly denounced the Venice incident. Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton joined Hahn at a meeting at the Islamic Center of Southern California to promise extra patrols around mosques."