JOINT RELEASE: Orange County State and Local Leaders Join Tustin-Based Families Together of OC to Condemn Attacks at COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
TUSTIN, CA — One day after misdemeanor charges were filed against a man who attacked healthcare workers at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Tustin, Families Together of Orange County is joined by a coalition of elected leaders including Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine), and Tustin City Councilmember Letitia Clark to present a unified front to condemn the violence.
In response to the announcement that the District Attorney’s office has filed charges against the individual who attacked those working at the Families Together vaccination clinic, Alexander Rossel, CEO of Families Together of Orange County, states:
“The attack that took place at Families Together on December 30 was shocking to all of us at the organization. For those involved, it was an awful experience that no one should ever have had to go through, especially those who are on the front lines risking their lives on a daily basis. The announcement that the District Attorney’s office is filing charges against this individual brings our staff, and hopefully other healthcare workers in the region, a sense of security knowing that violence, despite political or personal opinions, is never tolerated. We are hopeful that the end result brings this man to justice, and our team will keep fighting to keep our community safe, as we have continued to do every day before and after the attack.”
Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine), who represents the area and has been an outspoken advocate for protecting California healthcare workers, issued the following statement:
“Patient or frontline healthcare worker, no one should feel unsafe at any vaccine clinic. The District Attorney’s decision to file charges against the attacker in Tustin is the right call. I am honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with Families Together of OC and local leaders to support our healthcare workers who work tirelessly day in and day out to vaccinate our families, and who are helping get us through this pandemic. To anyone thinking about threatening or harassing our local clinics, let me be clear: you do not represent the values of Orange County and you will be prosecuted for your actions.”
Representing the City of Tustin, City Councilmember Letitia Clark responds:
“In the COVID era, segments of our country have been divided, but we have worked hard in Tustin to support each other and lift each other up,” said Councilmember Clark. “We also have helped our community remain safe through the services of organizations like Families Together. That’s why I was extremely disturbed to learn about the assault against one of Families Together’s healthcare workers. Thankfully, because of champions of safety and health, like Senator Dave Min, District Attorney Todd Spitzer, and our local Tustin Police Department, the situation was addressed with great discernment. I stand with Sen. Min and Families Together in support of the DA’s decision to file charges against the attacker. We won’t stand for this in Tustin.”
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