Thread by @josie_huang

HAPPENING NOW: LA City Council to vote on whether to take $$ from Dept. of Homeland Security for “countering violent extremism.” Civil liberties groups say program, started under Obama, has largely targeted — and stigmatized —Muslims…

…This concern was only heightened when the Trump administration last year rescinded a CVE grant for fighting extremism among white supremacists

Council expected to accept #CVE grant. Dozens here to convince it otherwise with signs that read “CVE is Islamophobia” & “CVE criminalizes black and brown youth”

Council vote comes just days after @ACLU_SoCal @AAAJ_LA sued the city for not meeting all its info requests about the $425K grant. No comment on suit from city attorney’s office.

The grant has divided Muslim civil liberties advocates. Some who are part of @VigilantLOVEla want the city to turn down the money. Meanwhile, @mpac_national has advised the mayor’s office on how the $$ should be used.

.@mikebonin urges LA council to vote 'no' on accepting grant. He says that #CVE program is "about targeting Islamic and communities of color when we know the real threat of terrorism in this country… is white guys with guns"

.@mikebonin notes SupCo just upheld travel ban. “I don’t think we can form a partnership with the Trump administration on terrorism when they are very clearly determined to racially profile in this country.” #CVE

CVE protestors stand up as reps from @MayorOfLA office defend taking the grant. Admonished by council Pres for booing

Mayor's rep Joumana Silyan-Saba recognizes "optics" of taking CVE money but says giving it back "will leave a vacuum for law enforcement-only solutions." Says money would go back to Trump admin and "leaves it open for (it) to do as they please with it"

Council prez Wesson sends issue back to public safety committee to "see if we can’t somehow come up with something where we can elevate comfort levels" on all sides."