News Gallery
On March 21, 2024, Robert G. Luna, Sheriff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, invited Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple to a meeting at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles. The gathering included government officials and community leaders, focusing on social issues, particularly hate crimes against Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Ven. Hui Cheng represented FGS Hsi Lai Temple at this important event.
Sheriff Luna, who heads one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the U.S. with nearly 18,000 personnel, expressed his strong appreciation for Hsi Lai Temple's involvement. He emphasized the critical issue of hate crimes and extended a special invitation to the temple to discuss this pressing societal problem. Attendees included Peter Ng, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Chinatown Service Center, along with community representatives from Thailand, Vietnam, and other regions.
Sheriff Luna highlighted the serious nature of hate crimes, noting that victims often face bullying due to factors like religious beliefs, gender, nationality, race, disabilities, and sexual orientation. Many victims choose silence in the face of verbal and physical attacks. Representatives from various sectors at the meeting focused on upholding human rights and offered suggestions for future government actions.
Ven. Hui Cheng of Hsi Lai Temple stressed the importance of educating and nurturing the next generation to improve society. He suggested that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department extend its educational outreach on hate crimes to schools, teaching children to recognize right from wrong, embrace equality, and develop compassion.
After the meeting, government officials expressed their intention to invite Hsi Lai Temple to participate in further discussions, recognizing the temple's valuable contributions to social stability.
(Photos by Ting Hui Wang)
