Senator Sasha Renée Pérez issues statement on panelist’s violent remarks directed toward federal agent

Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) issued the following statement on panelist’s violent remarks directed toward federal agent:

"I unequivocally condemn violence in all its forms, regardless of who uses it or whom it targets. I do not support, endorse, or condone violence against anyone, and my silence during another panelist’s remarks must never be misrepresented as agreement. Each speaker is responsible for their own words. 

"My office participated in a panel to discuss our legislative work on immigration, privacy, and constitutional rights. A highly edited video circulating online falsely suggests I was smiling in response to violent remarks directed toward an ICE agent. The full video makes clear that my reaction was to separate comments about the courage of young people. Any suggestion that I share, endorse, or condone violence is false.

"I have consistently opposed the federal government’s cruel immigration enforcement practices while also unequivocally opposing violence in all forms including violence by government agents that took the life of Keith Porter Jr. and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and violence by political extremists that took the life of Charlie Kirk.

"Political disagreement is not a license for racism, intimidation, or violence. I will continue to fight for civil rights through lawful, democratic action, and I will never condone violence."