To empower our Sangat nationwide and ensure that they are aware of resources that are put in place to aid them in light of our present climate of uncertainty and tension, SALDEF and our local and national partners are continuing efforts to hold Know Your Rights Forums across the country, most recently in Upstate New York.
On April 23, 2017, in Rochester, New York we partnered with the FBI, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from 
Buffalo Airport, Dept. of Justice Community Relations Service (DOJ-CRS), and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to address the Sangat’s questions about the recent uptick in hate crimes, what constitutes a hate crime, how to report hate crimes or employment discrimination, rights while travelling in an airport, and the importance of the First Amendment and freedom of speech.
In Buffalo on April 30, 2017, the Sangat engaged with representatives from the EEOC, DOJ-CRS, FBI, and Rochester Airport TSA, to address the Sangat’s questions about hate crimes, immigration and positive ways that Sikhs can engage with their local community at large.
Previous Forums have been held in Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina. SALDEF has joined together with Sangats across the country and our local and national partners to arrange nationwide Know Your Rights Forums to support our community in response to the divisive political rhetoric coming from our current administration and the significant increase in incidences of bias and hate.
PHOTOS:
Know Your Rights Forum in Durham, North Carolina
Know Your Rights Forum in Boston, Massachusetts
Know Your Rights Forum in Rochester, New York
Know Your Rights Forum in Buffalo, New York
If you feel your Sangat could benefit from a Know Your Rights Forum, please complete this form or contact info@saldef.org.
Please join us for the following Forums at The Guru Nanak Foundation of America in Silver Spring, Maryland on May 14th and The Sikh Foundation of Virginia in Fairfax Station, Virginia on May 21st.
We would like to thank the Sikh Society of Rochester and the Buffalo Gurdwara Sahib for their partnership in holding these highly successful events and our Sangats across the country for your constant support that allows us to do this very important work!
Support us with a generous one-time or recurring monthly donation so that we can expand this work and continue to empower our community. Your donation will help us host more of these events and reach our Sangat across the country!