**SACRAMENTO, CA** – The California African American Water Education Foundation (CAAWEF) today released a statement condemning recent acts of violence and disrespect directed towards elected officials.
“We are outraged and profoundly concerned by the violent treatment of these leaders, including the recent incident involving Senator Alex Padilla, who was physically shoved and forcibly removed from a Homeland Security press conference by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed – simply for having the audacity to carry out his duties: asking questions on behalf of the communities he was elected to represent. Though he was ultimately not detained, this unjustifiable public assault on an U.S. Senator is not only shameful and disrespectful, it is a dangerous and appalling injustice to Senator Padilla and all of us he represents – in California and the U.S. Nation.
As California’s first U.S. Senator, Senator Padilla represents nearly 40 million of us including those struggling to make ends meet, small businesses, neighbors, friends, and families like mine who live in communities that are being terrorized by the current administration’s wanton policies and actions. Given California’s significant immigrant population and that Latinos are our largest ethnic group, accounting for nearly 40% of our population, Senator Padilla’s representation is particularly meaningful. To witness the brazen mistreatment of a respected elected official like Senator Padilla underscores the need for change. As the Senator intimated, we can only imagine what is happening in our communities when the cameras are off. These acts of unwarranted aggression have no place in a civil society and undermine the very foundational principles that undergird our American democracy,” stated Cheryl Sudduth, Chairwoman of CAAWEF.
She warned, “the inability of our so-called leaders to engage in constructive discourse has continued to enflame these increasingly extreme violent behaviors that have breached all boundaries of civility and ethics. The assassinations of Minnesota State Representative Melissa and Mark Hortman and the attempted assassinations of Minnesota State Senator John and Yvette Hoffman are deeply disturbing. These horrifying acts of political violence reflect the extremely vitriolic nature of our Nation’s current political discourse, one in which disagreements and different perspectives can no longer reside in company.”
“I grew up believing in the teachings of elders – that we can disagree, have different opinions and perspectives, yet do so through constructive dialogue and collaboration rather than violence and intimidation.”
Chair Sudduth continued, “No public official, no person in America, no person anywhere, should have to live in fear that a difference in perspective will result in this type of violent action. This cannot be the America we accept. We join leaders across the state and nation to encourage everyone to consider that words have power and meaning and influence, that differences of opinion do not equate to evilness or hatred, and that civility and compromise are the tools required to work towards peace and a truly democratic society that works for everyone.
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ABOUT CAAWEF
CAAWEF works with water agencies that deliver safe, reliable water to every Californian. As we seek to fulfill our mission of Water Education, Professional Development and Workforce Training we work with individuals and organizations to lift their voices in times as these.