Abdullah’s lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department over the handling of hoax phone calls to her home, which resulted in a large law enforcement response, has been unsuccessful. The calls, made by three teens driven by racial hatred, were part of a trend known as “swatting” where phony emergency calls are made to send police to a specific address. Despite Abdullah’s condemnation of the police response, including armed SWAT officers surrounding her house, a jury found the LAPD and the city not liable for their actions during the August 12, 2020 incident. BLM-LA expressed disappointment with the outcome, citing the lack of diversity in the jury as a factor in the decision.
Abdullah, a co-founder of BLM-LA and a Cal State LA professor, has been vocal in her criticism of the LAPD and other law enforcement agencies. In response to the lawsuit, her attorney, Erin Darling, indicated that a statement would be released at a later time. During the trial, a police sergeant testified that authorities received a call about a hostage situation at Abdullah’s home, leading to the deployment of officers in tactical gear despite suspicions that it was a hoax. The sergeant explained that he did not want to take the risk of not responding if the call turned out to be true.
The LAPD’s investigation in 2021 revealed that the teenagers responsible for the swatting calls connected over the Discord chat platform and were suspected of multiple bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting various individuals and locations. The incidents included threats against video gamers, activists, schools, airports, houses of worship, entertainment venues, and memorial parks. Abdullah’s attorneys argued that the police targeted her specifically because of her activism, a claim that was not upheld in the jury’s decision. The outcome of the trial has sparked further discussions about police responses to swatting incidents and the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and marginalized communities.
Despite the setback in her legal battle, Abdullah remains committed to fighting against police violence and advocating for justice and accountability within the criminal justice system. BLM-LA’s response to the verdict highlights the ongoing challenges faced by activists and community members who seek accountability for law enforcement actions. The lack of representation in the jury and the decision in favor of the LAPD underscore larger issues of systemic racism and bias within the justice system. As Abdullah and her allies continue to push for change, the outcome of this lawsuit serves as a reminder of the obstacles they face in their pursuit of justice and accountability.
