Supervisor Perez Statement on Riverside County Sheriff
PALM DESERT – Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez issues the following statement regarding the Riverside County Sheriff:
PALM DESERT – Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez issues the following statement regarding the Riverside County Sheriff:
“Like many of you, I am shocked and deeply troubled to hear that Sheriff Bianco was a member of the Oathkeepers Group.
“After further research, I learned that the organization is a far right, anti-government militia based on extremist racist views.
“I do not support the Oathkeepers. Furthermore, I do not support their belief that, as armed individuals, only they can defend and uphold the Constitution.
“I, as a policymaker who took the oath of office, also strive to uphold the Constitution.
“Furthermore, we as American citizens, should all strive to uphold the Constitution.
“Unfortunately, this only brings a deeper and further mistrust among our communities of government and public safety.
“Our communities want government and law enforcement to protect our residents, and to govern and police our communities without extremist views.
“We are a very diverse county that appreciates equality, equity and tolerance. We live in a county that is made up of demographics that include a white population that consists of 41.2 percent and a Latino population of 49.7 percent. Riverside County is 6 percent Black, 7 percent Asian, and significantly more multiracial than ever before.
“We are also a county that is 40 percent Democratic, 32 percent Republican, and 21 percent No Party Preference. That is what makes our county special. That we are diverse.
“The views of the Oathkeepers do not represent who we are as a county or as a Fourth District and I hope that Sheriff Bianco understands my position.”
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Supervisor V. Manuel Perez represents the eastern two-thirds of Riverside County on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Stretching from Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs, south to the Salton Sea and east to Blythe and the Colorado River, the 4th District is the largest geographical district in the county.
Supervisor Perez’s office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
