Pillars defaced with anti-Muslim writings
An arrest was made this week involving a man who allegedly wrote anti-Islamic hate words on the Islamic Center of Southern California's Koreatown building (ICSC).
The alleged hate crime occurred about 12:40 a.m. April 9 at 434 S. Vermont Ave., according to a community alert with a surveillance photo posted on the LAPD Headquarters Twitter page.
“The suspect used a permanent marker to write anti-Islamic hate words on the property of a religious center and fled the location northbound on Vermont Avenue,'' the statement read.
The suspect was described as White, between 40 and 50 years old, 5 feet, 9 inches tall, 180 pounds, wearing all-black clothes including a beanie, jacket, shirt with unknown design, pants and shoes.
The ICSC reacted with its own social media statement:
“We are deeply saddened and disturbed to announce that a hate crime against the Muslim Community at the Islamic Center of Southern California occurred early this morning on Easter Sunday in Los Angeles. This is an appalling act of vandalism targeting the center where innocent individuals gather for their daily religious observances.
“The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating this odious crime and are working closely with leaders from the ICSC to gather all the necessary information to bring the perpetrators to justice. We urge anyone with information to come forward and assist with the investigation.
“This hate crime is a reminder that we must stand together locally and internationally as a community against all forms of hate, bigotry, and violence. We must remain vigilant and work towards creating a society that is inclusive, tolerant, and respects the beliefs and traditions of all communities.''
Anyone with information was asked to call detectives at the LAPD Olympic Station at (213) 382-9466 or the watch commander at (213) 382-9110 after hours.
This article is a part of a series of articles for Our Weekly's #StopTheHate campaign and is supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. #NoPlaceForHateCA,
#StopAAPIHate, #CaliforniaForAll
