Islam is being utilized as a political tool, not as a social order. It can benefit the masses. These are things that are denied in the Muslim world. To open dialogue, California Governor Gray Davis, Los Angeles Supervisor Zev Yarslovsky and County Mayor Mike Antonovich sat aside Sheriff Lee Baca at the Interfaith Meeting. We must condemn violence against any group.
Many leaders plea with officials to stop the media and other groups from antagonizing the situation.
The message resonates more fully when it comes from the clerics and community members to which it was directed. Don't think privately and speak out publicly to unveil your prejudices to the public. What we say here can't be minimized by other actions in other forms in other places. If I did that as Sheriff, it would be a breach of my responsibility to protect. I ask you to reach that level of agreement with yourself.