Senator Sasha Renée Pérez supports Governor Newsom’s civil rights complaint against Dr. Oz for hateful anti-Armenian comments

Senator Sasha Renée Pérez supports Governor Newsom’s civil rights complaint against Dr. Oz for hateful anti-Armenian comments

SACRAMENTO – Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) has issued the following statement on Governor Newsom filing a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services against Dr. Mehmet Oz for discrimination against California’s Armenian American community:

“As a proud member of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus who represents the largest diaspora of Armenians in the state, I appreciate Governor Newsom standing up for California’s Armenian American community. 

“The comments made by Dr. Mehmet Oz are clearly racist and cause real harm as it promotes discrimination and creates even more division among Americans. Dr. Oz’s words cast a false and negative image of the Armenian American community. 

“For decades, Armenian Americans have contributed to California’s rich cultural tapestry through their leadership in the arts, science and medicine, law, government and agriculture.

“Healthcare fraud is wrong and inexcusable which is why California has proactively taken steps to investigate and prosecute those guilty of fraud.

“Dr. Oz’s ignorant and performative comments are disrespectful and in no way reflect the Armenian American community I know, represent and work with every day.”

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Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is Chair of the Senate Education Committee and represents the 25th Senate District that includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.