LA County Commission on Human Relations Issues Statement Urging the Federal Government To Respect Basic Human Rights for Immigrants And all Angelenos

LA County Human Relations Commission calls upon the federal government to uphold fundamental human rights and protect vulnerable communities.

LOS ANGELES, CA–Today, the Commission on Human Relations joins with the Board of Supervisors and the many other community voices calling on federal government officials and agents to respect and protect human rights and civil rights in Los Angeles County. Recent federal immigration enforcement activity appears to disregard well-established human and civil rights, including indiscriminate targeting of members of Latino communities and interference with the freedoms of speech and assembly. The Supervisors’ special Priorities include Immigration and Anti-Racism, with commitments to advance the well-being of immigrants and to combat identity-based hate. The Commission works every day bringing people together in support of those targeted by discrimination and hate in LA County.

The U.S. Constitution’s 4^th Amendment guarantees the security of all persons by requiring arrest and search warrants based on probable cause and including specific descriptions of the persons and property to be seized. The 5^th Amendment requires that no person be arrested without procedural due process, including the opportunity to a hearing before a neutral decisionmaker. The right to due process is reinforced in the 14^th Amendment and includes the requirement of equal protection under the law. The 1^st Amendment guarantees that the government shall not prohibit or abridge free speech or the rights to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances.

In addition, the U.S. Constitution stipulates that all treaties are included in the supreme law of the land. Among treaties the federal government has ratified are some agreements recognizing basic human rights. Two of those are the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These agreements cite the inherent dignity of all human beings as a recognized basis of fundamental rights. With ratification of these documents, our government has committed to being accountable for protecting the rights of all persons to security of person; equality before the law; protection from advocacy of hatred to incite discrimination, hostility, or violence; protection from unlawful or arbitrary arrest or detention, including arrest for civil matters; impartial and public hearing when accused; access to courts to ensure legal rights and remedy for violation of civil rights; the right to peaceful assembly; and protection for non-citizens from being expelled without legal process.

We are committed as a County, state, and nation that the manner in which we conduct official actions will not deny human dignity or violate human rights.  Even legitimate ends do not justify unjust means. The fullest possible expression and experience of human rights for every person and all peoples is the minimum required to affirm the intrinsic worth and dignity of all. Anything less denies our common humanity.

To express solidarity with this statement please use info@hrc.lacounty.gov to send us your name and any relevant organizational affiliation.

About the LA County Commission on Human Relations

The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations is dedicated to protecting human rights and promoting positive human relations in our richly diverse, multicultural county throughout all five Supervisorial Districts. The Commission works to develop programs that proactively address racism, homophobia, religious prejudice, linguistic bias, anti-immigrant sentiment, and other divisive attitudes that can lead to intercultural tension, hate crimes, and related violence.

For more information about LA County’s Commission on Human Relations, click here.

About LA vs Hate

LA vs Hate is a community-centered system designed to support all residents of Los Angeles County. Led by the Human Relations Commission, LA vs Hate partners with community partners from all five County districts, representing a diverse coalition of voices committed to ending hate. The system aims to address the normalization of hate and inspire people to stand up to it, build understanding about what constitutes a hate act and how to report it, as well as support individuals and communities as they heal from the trauma of hate and work to end systemic discrimination. By tracking and reporting hate, we can ensure that resources are allocated appropriately, that those targeted by hate receive the support they need, and that together, we can build respectful and resilient communities in solidarity with one another. For more information about LA vs Hate, click here.