City Council

(11) 26-0155 CIVIL RIGHTS, EQUITY, IMMIGRATION, AGING, AND DISABILITY COMMITTEE REPORT relative to instructing the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department (CHRED), with assistance from Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD), to report on the impacts of Dr. Mehmet Oz's statements in the Valley Glen video incident, and related matters. Recommendations for Council action, as initiated by Motion (Nazarian - Soto-Martínez): 1. INSTRUCT the CHRED, with assistance from EWDD, to report within 60 days on the impacts of this incident, including but not limited to the following elements: a. Detailed Accounting: Detailing Dr. Mehmet Oz's specific, alleged defamatory or discriminatory statements, identifying the targeted groups (especially the Armenian community), and categorizing the nature of the claims. b. Civil Rights and Discrimination Analysis: an analysis of the claims against established civil rights law, focusing on potential unlawful discrimination based on Armenian national origin, examining the resulting hostile environment, and assessing non-economic harms like emotional distress and reputational damage. c. Economic Impact Assessment: quantifying and detailing the financial damage sustained by local Armenian-owned businesses due to the statements, including lost revenue, increased costs, and devaluation of assets, and identifying any financial resources to support these businesses. 2. REQUEST the City Attorney to report to Council on the legal standing of the City of Los Angeles to join the Governor’s civil rights complaint or to file a separate amicus brief, and to explore all available local and state legal remedies regarding the defamation of the City’s commercial districts by a federal official. 3. REQUEST the City Attorney report to Council within 60 days on filing an amicus brief in support of any legal actions taken or made by the state of California. Fiscal Impact Statement: Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.