commsdir@contracostadems.com
April 25, 2023 (925) 603-3676
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
CONDEMNS THE ACTIONS OF EAST COUNTY POLICE OFFICERS
INVOLVED IN TEXTING SCANDAL
WALNUT CREEK – The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County (DPCCC) and its active membership are speaking out against the actions of certain local police departments for the racist, sexist, xenophobic, and homophobic actions of their officers.
As Democrats, we vehemently condemn the recent actions of Antioch and Pittsburg police officers involved in ongoing corruption investigations of alleged fraud, bribery, drug distribution and civil rights violations related to the use of force. We also condemn those Antioch police officers who have been exposed in the ongoing investigation for their use of racist slurs, jokes, and memes in text messages over a period of more than two years targeting members of the Black and Latino communities.
As community members, residents, and neighbors of these police districts, we are deeply enraged and disturbed by the behavior of these officers that many in the Black and Brown communities have long experienced as hate and racial animus by the very persons sworn to “protect and serve” the whole of the community.
We condemn racism, hatred, sexism, and violence towards Black people, Brown people, Indigenous people, impoverished people, and all people of color and stand in solidarity with these communities and other targeted community members as they raise their voices to demand equal protection and an end to police violence.
We acknowledge that race-based inequities are embedded into our society and reinforced through our institutions. We rely on the police to defend and protect us – all of us – from harm, and to promote fairness and justice in our communities. Yet, the behavior of these officers mocks this fundamental duty. When police officers cast entire communities as suspect and criminal because of what they look like, where they come from, or what religion they adhere to, countless people are arrested, and even killed. No one should live in constant state of fear of being targeted in such a violent way by those who have sworn to protect them.
We call on local government boards, councils, agencies, and members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to condemn all acts of police intimidation, harassment, brutality, racial profiling, and excessive use of force. We urge the adoption of reforms and policies throughout the county’s law enforcement departments to address these concerns and end these injustices.
DPCCC calls upon its members and all elected federal, state, and local officials to support initiatives to end police violence, intimidation, harassment, and brutality against Black and Brown people, to combat the systemic racism that infects our society, and to speak out against all attempts to restrict constitutional rights of protestors, journalists, and all people who want to make their voices heard.
The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County advocates for defending and securing our constitutional and human rights via peaceful public policy debate and legislative action and works to elect Democrats to public office who share these goals. Join the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County and learn how you can make a difference in your community every day. Go to www.contracostadems.com for more information—including actions you can take and a list of events you can attend.
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