SALDEF Advocate June 2015: SALDEF Welcomes the Next Generation of Sikh Leaders!
Senator Elizabeth Warren and NOW Join SikhLEAD as Internship Hosts On June 1, SALDEF not only welcomed its fifth SikhLEAD Internship Program class to the nation’s capital, but also new placement hosts: the National Organization of Women (NOW), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Representative Ted Poe (R-TX), Representative Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA) and the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO). SALDEF is equally grateful to previous hosts who continue to support SikhLEADers including Representative Mike Honda (D-CA), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Ten geographically diverse Sikh Americans make up the Class of 2015, and SALDEF is proud to welcome back former SikhLEADer Naureen Singh, who returns as an intern at the White House! SikhLEAD would not be possible without your support. Thank you for supporting the next generation of Sikh leadership. Congressman Mike Honda Presents APAICS Community Achievement Award to SALDEF 
SALDEF and Executive Director Jasjit Singh were honored by the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) at its annual Gala on May 14 with the Community Achievement Award. Former President George H.W. Bush and MSNBC news anchor Richard Lui were also honored, and D.C. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Dr. Vivek Murthy gave the Gala’s Keynote Address. Congressman Mike Honda presented the award to SALDEF during the Gala. In his speech, Congressman Honda highlighted the SALDEF team and their work, including the first-ever Langar on the Hill, Turban Myths, and the need for Sikh Americans to represent themselves with their 5K’s in law enforcement and fire departments. “SALDEF raises the profile of the Sikh community and their stories,” Honda said. “We are so proud to see this new generation of leadership rise. Jasjit’s honesty and compassion, and SALDEF’s dedication, is truly driving the community forward. I couldn’t be happier to call SALDEF a friend.” SALDEF thanks the Sikh community for their inspiration, guidance, and support. SikhLEAD Graduates Its Fourth LDP Class 
Over Memorial Day weekend, 17 dedicated Sikh American youth from across the country gathered in Los Angeles, CA at the University of Southern California for SikhLEAD’s Leadership Development Program second residency. Leadership Change Network Trainers partnered with SALDEF’s Education Director Jyotswaroop Kaur to offer a comprehensive training on the importance of leveraging personal and community narrative, advocacy, lobbying, and direct services. “LDP helped me grow in ways I could never imagine. From the outstanding workshops to the team building exercises, I learned how to be a true leader in my community and professionally. I met the Sikh leaders of tomorrow, created a sangat, made connections that will last a lifetime.” Parminder Deo, Journalist, NBC News “During each of the two rigorous weekends—one in Washington, D.C. and the other in Los Angeles, California—I reflected on my own capabilities and goals, found inspiration in my SikhLEAD class, and gained the tools necessary to act and lead in meaningful ways. All these components were instrumental in me filming short, shareable videos showcasing Sikh American history, philosophy, career choices, and more. I am excited to continue building this educational resource in the upcoming year.” Rasna Kaur Neelam, Pre-Med, University of Michigan Graduate WATCH: SALDEF ED SPEAKS TO COMCAST ABOUT ERPA 
On May 27, SALDEF Executive Director Jasjit Singh appeared on Comcast Newsmakers to discuss the End Racial Profiling Act (ERPA), a bill that would end profiling by Law Enforcement across America. “My entire community, and all minority communities are just as committed to national security as anyone else, “ Singh stated. “And as a part of that commitment to national security, we want to have a law enforcement which is educated about the difference between cultural norms, religious practices, and what is truly suspicious behavior.” WATCH: End Racial Profiling Act of 2015 SALDEF’s Comms Director Presents Media Strategy at AAPI Data Summit 
During the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA)’s NCAPA 2.0 Briefing and 2nd Annual AAPI Data Summit on May 14, SALDEF’s Communications Director, Sona Simran Kaur presented a comprehensive analysis of SALDEF’s media strategy during a panel discussion “Turning Data into Narrative: Improving Our Media and Policy Strategy,” hosted by MSNBC News Anchor, Richard Lui. Kaur shared strategies that ensure Turban Myths—the first-ever public perception assessment of Sikh Americans and other Sikh American stories are covered by the press. SALDEF Policy Director Addresses Sikh American Activism and Racial Profiling 
Navdeep Singh, SALDEF’s Policy Director, addressed an audience of academics and activists at The University of California Riverside’s Sikh Studies Conference, Living and Making Sikhi in the Diaspora: the Millennial Generation Comes of Age on May 8. Speaking on Sikh American Activism, Singh highlighted SALDEF’s policy work and the impact it has had on profiling and other issues affecting Sikh Americans. Singh also recently addressed racial profiling in Washington, D.C. with Asian American lawyers and advocates from across America. Singh helped prepare the more than 50 participants attending National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Lobby Day with the insights needed to lobby Congressional leaders about issues important to the APIA community, including voting rights, profiling, and immigration. Singh specifically served as an expert on racial profiling and lectured on the End Racial Profiling Act (ERPA) on May 6. On May 18, Singh spoke to attendees about the bill and detailed specific advocacy strategies. And on Lobby Day, May 19, Singh helped coach small groups and prepare teams for their legislative appointments helping ERPA gain momentum and support on Capitol Hill. SALDEF Regional Director Receives Community Service Award 
Navtej Singh Khalsa, SALDEF’s Florida Regional Director, received a Community Service Award for outstanding service and dedication from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department on May 12, 2015 in Sanford, Florida. Khalsa has served as a uniformed Sheriff Volunteer in the Citizen’s On Patrol and Search & Rescue Team programs for two years. Welcomed without any religious accommodation negotiations, Khalsa is the first and only dastaar-wearing Sikh American in the Sheriff’s office. Learn about how you can get involved in educating your local law enforcement community and LEPP today! Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Religious Accommodation 
After hearing arguments in the case of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v Abercrombie & Fitch, Inc., on June 1, the Supreme Court ruled—in an 8-1 decision— in favor of the plaintiff, Samantha Elauf, a Hijab-wearing Muslim who was denied employment at the retail outlet because her headscarf did not meet the uniform standards. Using the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bans employment discrimination based on religious practices or beliefs, as the legal precedent, the judges handed down their decision on June 1. “This bold ruling from the court makes it clear that religious discrimination in employment is unacceptable,” commented SALDEF’s Policy Director, Navdeep Singh. “As the court stated, cases like these are “straightforward:” An employer may not make someone’s religious practices a factor in hiring. This suit affirms the rights of all Americans, regardless of their religious practice, for fair and equal opportunity.” Make a Pledge to Create a More Peaceful World through #1Prayer 
SikhNet is asking community members to make a pledge to do Benti Chaupi (or an additional recitation) to mark 31 years since the Indian government occupied Harimandir Sahib on June 6, 1984. The hope is that doing this bani recitation will bring the panth together in unity, dispel the hatred that comes from emotional trauma, and create a healing global movement for Sikhs and non-Sikhs to advocate for peace and change. Join the movement today! Film Your Faith and Win Big! 
Faith Counts—a not for profit, non-denominational, multi-faith organization whose mission is to explain how faith matters—is hosting a “Film Your Faith Video Contest” seeking storytellers who can share a compelling two minute video exemplifying the impact of faith and how it changes lives and communities in a positive way. Entries must be submitted by June 15, 2015. Prizes, including a $20,000 winner, $10,000 Fan Favorite, and two $2500 Honorable Mention cash awards, will be announced after August 10.