"In light of the recent attacks against America, I am asking those who reside in Los Angeles to remember that tolerance is the only option in successfully overcoming this devastating blow to our country. The horrors of this event have made us all feel as if we have been attacked and that there must be a person or persons to blame. Eventually, those identities will be known and justice will be served. In the meantime, it is imperative to remember that individuals who look like the people who were the attackers or who follow the same religion, are fellow Americans, and that they are also appalled by the unbelievable actions of last week.

Acting upon one’s anger will only result in problems in our own city and a very serious punishment for the aggressor. Answering misguided violence with more misguided violence will not resolve the nation’s crisis, in fact, it will make it worse. Our enemies will rejoice at our disharmony.

The people of Los Angeles have endured many trying times and they have emerged strengthened and more enlightened. We are once again being challenged and it is our time to show the rest of the world what we are capable of. As one of the most diverse cities in the world, Los Angeles is a shining example of how tolerance can overcome great sadness."