Senator Sasha Renée Pérez issues statement on Attorney General opening civil rights investigation into Eaton Fire response

SACRAMENTO – Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) has issued the following statement on the State Attorney General opening a civil rights investigation into the response to the devastating Eaton Fire:

“Over the past year, troubling and heartbreaking details have emerged about the devastating Eaton Fire, which claimed 19 lives and forever altered the community. We’ve received accounts of residents on the west side of Altadena who received emergency alerts hours too late to escape and died in their homes.

“These tragedies demand answers. The Altadena community, especially our historic Black communities, deserve answers and accountability. 

“I am grateful to Attorney General Rob Bonta for hearing the community’s call for justice by opening this important civil rights investigation. I am tremendously proud of the tenacity shown by community members Gina Clayton-Johnson, Shimica Gaskins and Shannon Larsuel who led ‘Altadena for Accountability’, a community group that has fearlessly demanded answers for their neighbors. 

“In the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, our community has shown remarkable strength, generosity and resiliency. My hope is that our recovery continues to move forward with purpose, and that we learn from this tragedy, so no Californian ever endures similar pain and grief.”