Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently approved a motion authored by Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Hilda Solis condemning the tragic gun violence in San Bernardino and expressing condolences to the families and friends of victims.

The motion also recognized that the terrorists who committed the acts, who were motivated by violent religious and political extremism, and that the county rejects fear-based stereotyping and scapegoating and an atmosphere of Islamophobia, xenophobia, discrimination, hate and bigotry that sometimes results.

“This is a time that requires all Americans to try to be our best and bravest and wisest selves,” Kuehl said. “ Although the tragic shooting in San Bernardino frightened many people, we cannot respond with hatred and violence. Rather, county government must ensure that threats or acts of hate violence are responded to swiftly and appropriately.”

The motion also honors a request by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff Jim McDonnell and the Countywide Criminal Justice Coordination Committee to increase outreach to the Muslim, Sikh, South Asian and other communities that are sometimes targeted for hate crimes. The county has resolved to offer assistance to deter and swiftly responding to threats and acts of hate violence.

“This motion is about preventing more tragedy,” Solis said. “Our history is peppered with instances where we have irresponsibly scapegoated minority groups as a response to tragedy. Anger and fear are understandable reactions to what happened in San Bernardino, but we cannot permit these feelings to grow into hate or bigotry against individuals who had nothing to do with this senseless violence. As public leaders, our responsibility is to counsel reason, good judgment and peace.”