Senator Bradford Issues Statement Supporting Request to Investigate LASD shooting as Civil Rights Violation
December 04, 2020
SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) issued this statement in response to Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ formal request for U.S. Attorney General Barr to investigate the killing of 18-year-old Andres Guardado by a sheriff’s deputy near Gardena as a civil rights violation.
“I stand in strong solidarity with Congresswoman Waters and Congresswoman Barragán and support the request to investigate the slaying of Andres Guardado. It’s no surprise to us that the LA Sheriff’s department talks about wanting greater transparency and accountability, but fails to live up to its words in any meaningful way. Guardado’s killing demonstrates the need for increased accountability and decertification of officers who abuse the public trust and commit serious misconduct. Community trust in authority is impossible if there is no way to hold that authority accountable. That trust has been eroded by years of egregious civil rights violations and the continuous racist profiling of men and women of color. Justice can only be found by an honest investigation and we will not stop from seeking the truth.”
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Senator Bradford represents the Los Angeles County communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor City, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, San Pedro, Torrance, Watts, Willowbrook, and Wilmington.