California Muslims and Law Enforcement Agencies Unite

May 23, 2003

Source: MPAC News

http://www.mpac.org/

On May 23, 2003 the Muslim Public Affairs Council reported that "in a packed news conference at the Islamic Center of Southern California, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and six representatives of local and federal law enforcement held a joint news conference on the partnership between the American Muslim community and law enforcement during this time when the country is on orange alert... Law enforcement officials included FBI Special Agent in charge Larry Albert, Commander Dave Betkey, from the LA Sheriff Department's Office of Homeland Security, Mr. John Miller, Director of Homeland Security with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Chief Lee Carter with the LAPD, Gary De La Rosa with the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Committee and Ray Regalado, with the County of Los Angeles Human Relations Committee... Dr. Maher Hathout, Senior Advisor to MPAC, said in his closing comments, 'Some special interests group have tried to drive a wedge between the American Muslim community and other Americans and law enforcement. This news conference is an encouraging, important signal that this is not the path that American Muslims have chosen, and we will not let that path be chosen for us. Through news conferences like this, we are vigilantly sending the message that MPAC and American Muslims are partners, not suspects in keeping our country safe.'"