Re: Statements Made by DA Todd Spitzer at IABA 2019 Conference

In light of the recent press reports regarding District Attorney Todd Spitzer’s statement at the 2019 Iranian American Bar Association (IABA) National Conference in Orange County, the IABA confirms that the DA quoted remarks of an assailant committing a violent crime against an African American pregnant woman, which included uncensored, racially charged language. The DA spoke at the Conference regarding the importance of combatting hate crimes, in an effort to address the Iranian American community’s ongoing concerns over the racially motivated murder of Shayan Mazroei by a white supremacist in Orange County in 2015.

The IABA strongly condemns all forms of racism and the use of all racially charged language. IABA did not have notice of or join in the DA’s statements made at the Conference, and does not agree with the use of any racially charged language. As an avid advocate of racial justice, IABA remains deeply committed to playing its role in combating all forms of racism and discrimination in our society.