Civil Rights and Social Justice
Congressman Lieu joins civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis and House Democrats during the House Democrats Sit-In on Gun Control
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"I am fully committed to ensuring and protecting the civil rights of all Americans. I vehemently stand against any sort of racial, cultural, or religious intolerance that threatens to divide the melting pot our country has become. If we want to uphold the principle of equality that this country prides itself on, we must not let fear tear us apart."
"As an immigrant from Taiwan, I am proud to be a strong advocate for Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in Congress. As an executive board member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I am dedicated to promoting the well-being of the AAPI community."
More information on Congressman Lieu's work on AAPI issues can be found here.
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More on Civil Rights and Social Justice
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court announced in a 6-3 ruling that federal civil rights law protects LGBTQ+ workers from employment discrimination. The Trump Administration unsuccessfully argued that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act does not bar discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
WASHINGTON - Last week, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) sent a letter to Attorney General William Barr requesting an explanation as to whether the DOJ had authorized mass serveillance of Black Lives Matter protesters. The Members request clarity on whether powerful surveillance technologies such as cell-site simulators were being deployed against protesters.
In the letter, the Members write:
Dear Attorney General Barr:
Seven Los Angeles Police Department officers have been assigned to non-field duties amid investigations into 58 complaints of excessive use of force or other misconduct during the recent civil unrest and protests against police brutality, department officials said Wednesday.
The department said 28 of the complaints involve alleged uses of force.
“If there’s consequences, including suspension or removal, those will come,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said of the officers under investigation.
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) joined Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen Bass (D-CA), House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (D-N), Senators Corey Booker (D-NJ) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), and over 100 Members of Congress in introducing the Justice in Policing Act of 2020. The bill will take key steps to achieve structural change to combat police brutality and racial injustice in the United States.
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Congressman Anthony Brown (D-MD) urged Defense Secretary Esper to ban depictions of the Confederate flag in all public and work spaces at all military installations. Recently, the U.S. Marine Corps banned public depictions of the Confederate flag.
In more than a week of civil unrest since the killing of George Floyd, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore has been at the helm of a massive police response, which has included the controversial firing of foam bullets and arresting of peaceful protesters.
LOS ANGELES - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) sent a letter to the President of the Los Angeles Police Commission urging her to investigate instances that appear to show uniformed LAPD officers physically assaulting people gathering to protest police violence. The letter follows news reports and videos posted to social media that show police using batons, rubber bullets and a chemical spray against protestors, some of whom appear to be retreating.
In the letter, Mr. Lieu writes:
An Army helicopter on Monday descended near Washington rooftops in a counterinsurgency maneuver intended to disperse protesters after the city's curfew went into effect.
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement in response to the murder of George Floyd and nationwide protests.
"Watching Minneapolis police officers murder George Floyd shook me to my core. All the officers involved must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I share the pain and frustration that Americans feel in this moment. Black lives matter.
WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement after the house passed the Heroes Act, which is urgently needed legislation to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It includes critical support for frontline workers, along with additional direct payments to families who are struggling, and investments in testing, small businesses and more.