LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, City Attorney Mike Feuer, Councilmember Tom Labonge , and the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission Join Faith Leaders to Maintain Peace Amidst Blistering International Violence NA13164bb

WHAT:
Interfaith Press Conference to promote unity and peace

WHEN:
Friday, September 27, 2013 11 a.m.

WHERE:
Police Administration Building, Plaza
100 West First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

WHO:
Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Council District 4
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey
Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca
LAPD Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger, Director, Office of Operations
LAPD Assistant Chief Michel Moore, Director, Office of Special Operations
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Assistant Director in Charge, Bill Lewis
LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau
Faith Leaders and Clergy from various communities throughout the City of Los Angeles

WHY:
The Los Angeles Police Department, along with City Officials and diverse faith leaders, will reaffirm religious freedoms and respect along all sectarian lines. In recent weeks, local communities have employed vigilance as sectarian violence rages through most of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Attacks carried by terrorist militant groups have targeted minorities (Christians, Kurds, and Shiite communities) in different parts of the world. Although the intensity of emotions has been felt around the world, Los Angeles stands in solidarity to reject all forms of bias, intolerance or violence directed at any of the City’s multi-religious communities.

“LAPD continues to partner with faith leaders to ensure a safe and peaceful City for all,” said Deputy Chief Downing at LAPD’s Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau.   With longstanding partnerships in place with inter-faith coalitions, the LAPD takes a proactive approach to maintaining peace and dismantling any prospect of violence. “As people of the City of Los Angeles we refuse to buy into a divisive narrative that only bares the fruits of pain and suffering. We stand united with our brothers and sisters of all faith groups to promote unity, respect and religious freedom” stated Salam Al Marayati, MPAC President. Father Cyril Gorgy from Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church added “Los Angeles has always been a shining light for its many Diaspora communities. We as faith leaders will continue to be the voice of compassion, peace, and respect that echoes beyond the limits of our City.”

The press conference will include remarks by several elected officials, along with insight from various faith leaders. The coalition will represent a large array of faith groups including: Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Greek Orthodox Church, Syraic Orthodox Church, Los Angeles Catholic Diocese, Muslim Public Affairs, Islamic Center of Southern California, Simon Wiesenthal Center, San Fernando Valley Faith Coalition, COPPA, Armenian Apostolic Church, LDS, LA Buddhist Union, First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California, Sikh American Legal Defense.

CONTACT:
For more information, please contact Officer Susan Torres, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau at 213-486-8762.