Muslims Welcome Removal of LAPD's Mapping Program
The controversial Muslim 'Mapping' Plan of the Los Angeles Police Department is now "dead on arrival" according to Chief William Bratton.
"It is over and not just put on the side," said Chief Bratton in a meeting with the Muslim leadership of Southern California on Thursday, November 15th. The meeting was moderated by Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles, Arif Alikhan and attended by Deputy Chief Mike Downing.
Chief Bratton acknowledged the hurt and offense caused to Muslims and agreed to send a letter to the Muslim community announcing the official termination of the 'mapping' plan.
A major reason for the termination of the 'mapping' plan was the Muslim community's vociferous opposition and active civic engagement in making themselves heard beyond Los Angeles. Muslim organizations demonstrated a strong unity of purpose and message on the issue of 'mapping' that led to a position of strength for Muslims in the meeting. Those involved in the initial phases of this controversy were the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and Muslim Advocates. Several other mosques and organizations joined in the common stand against the 'mapping' plan at the meeting.
Present at the press conference was also a large coalition of interfaith groups and social justice organizations whose continued support strengthened the Muslims' call for the withdrawal of the 'mapping' plan. The alliance with these groups proved instrumental in registering a strong voice to preserve American democratic values in our city government.
The Muslim organizations highlighted the pervasive culture of ignorance across the country in political and law enforcement circles contributing to misconceptions about Islam and Muslims that lead to short-sighted policy-making. In response, Chief Bratton suggested the establishment of a Muslim Forum for LAPD to directly interface with him and his senior command staff in pursuit of mutual understanding between law enforcement and the Muslim community. The Muslim leadership welcomed the idea and hopes the Forum will help to dispel the myths about Islam and Muslims and create a healthy dialogue with law enforcement.
Today, the people of Los Angeles spoke and the City of Los Angeles listened to the collective voice for justice and civil rights.
Topics: California, Crime And Justice, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Police Department
Views: 3588
Related Suggestions
I found this article to hit home where Muslim/Islamic right have been overlooked by this Government, The government has a lack of knowledge about the Shareeah so therefor we are the one Community left out of the decision making process in the is country. The needs of the Muslim communities through out the USA have not become a front running issue. I live in the Northeastrn part of the county and we are faced with Religious persecution every day, WHY? due to ignorance about who Muslims are,what Muslims believe in, and what are our needs social and political. We live in a country where their government does not coinside with our Shareeah.InshaAllah,we will over come this through hijjrah.
Your Beloved Sister In Islam
Khadija Nelson
What happened to those social climbing and media hogging parasites at MPAC who offered to work with the LAPD to map out Muslims under the cover of "dawah"?