Community reacts to possible hate crime
An apparent hate crime committed last week at the UCLA Medical Center did not go unanswered by the surrounding community.
Representatives from the university, government agencies and various organizations spoke at a press conference Friday to express their solidarity and determination to apprehend the perpetrators of the act.
The press conference was held by the Muslim Public Affairs Council and attracted multiple television news crews and a crowd of interested observers in the Medical Center courtyard.
The incident in question took place April 19 when an unknown individual poured a liquid labeled “pork blood” on Muslim prayer rugs in the Medical Center’s interfaith chapel.
The incident is being investigated as a hate crime and has involved the combined efforts the University of California Police Department, the Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI.
LAPD Assistant Chief of Police Karl Ross said investigators are currently gathering information from hospital staff and area businesses.
He said hospital security and police patrols have been increased since the incident took place.
According to Scott Millington of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, the penalties imposed for hate crimes can be stiffer than those for simple vandalism.
Dr. Michael Karpf, director of the Medical Center, affirmed the hospital’s tolerance of ethnic and religious groups.
“This is a great medical center because of its commitment to diversity,” he said.
The Rev. Sandra Yarlott, director of the Medical Center’s Spiritual Care Department, shared excepts from e-mails condemning the incident and offering support to the hospital and Muslim community.
She said she was determined to continue meeting the spiritual needs of the Medical Center and its patrons.
“This hate act does not and will not keep us from praying,” Yarlott said.
Representatives from a wide variety of organizations expressed their support for the Muslim community in the wake of the incident.
Spokespeople from the Progressive Jewish Alliance, the South Asian Network and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center were among those who offered support.
Salam al Marayati, executive director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said the incident created a sense of solidarity.
“When you target one of us, you target all of us,” he said.
During the press conference, he offered Yarlott a new Muslim prayer rug as a “symbol of peace.”
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