SCE Investigates IE Employee Accused Of Telling Anti-Ice Protesters To 'Go Back'
CHINO HILLS, CA — A woman captured on video taunting anti-ICE protesters in Chino Hills to "go back" and cursing in front of children is now facing an investigation by her employer, Southern California Edison.
The utility giant is
A viral video circulating on social media shows a woman telling anti-ICE protesters to "go back" to their country and using expletives.
Spokesperson Kathleen Dunleavy confirmed to Patch Wednesday afternoon that the woman in the video is an SCE employee. Dunleavy confirmed the woman's name is Monica Mares.
Dunleavy said the widely shared video and those enraged by it immediately grabbed the company's attention.
"We want people to know that we heard them and we're looking into it," Dunleavy said, adding, "We owe it to our team members, customers and community to do a thorough investigation and it could take time."
Protesters say the woman, who was sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle with a man and children in the backseat, was circling the block around the protest, "trying to cause a scene," according to the Instagram account
Dunleavy says SCE employs around 14,000 employees.
"We have a large employee base and just like the public, there is a diversity of opinions," she said. "One thing that is important though to note is that Edison calls on us to treat each other with dignity and respect."
While Dunleavy says the company does not have an official stance on the unrest that has gripped the Southland in recent weeks, she says the company is urging its employees to be safe.
"We have been communicating to employees about the importance of staying safe during this time during the protest activities that we've seen in our service area," she said.
After video went viral over the weekend, the utility company confirmed the incident occurred on June 14 and posted the following:
"We are aware of a video circulating that may involve an SCE employee," the company said in a social media post. "Let's be abundantly clear — we support free speech, not hate speech. We take this matter seriously and are investigating."
Then on Tuesday, the utility followed up with another post.
"We owe it to every team member, customer and community member to do a thorough internal investigation, which will take time," the utility said. "Given confidentiality and the privacy considerations involved in personnel matters, the outcome of the investigation may not become public."
