Three Sikhs Write to their Children [Independence Day Advocate]
Sikh American Parents Offer Inspiration The Center for Asian American Media, CAAM, and Hyphen Magazine, asked Asian American fathers to write open letters to their children in honor of Father’s Day. Three Sikh American dads—Mandeep Singh Dhillon, Bhajneet Singh, and Sandeep Singh Caberwal—wrote heartfelt notes with lessons that ring true for all children. And in case you missed it, SALDEF Board Member Jesse Kaur Bawa wrote about a Sikh mother’s strength in the Huffington Post earlier this year. Sikhs Celebrate Fourth of July 
As all of America celebrates Independence Day, we reflect on our 125 years of Sikh history. Throughout our history, Sikhs were at the forefront of deepening our civil and political participation. Honor Sikh history and ensure that you and your family members are registered to vote. Secure your SikhVOTE today. SALDEF Stands in Solidarity With Charleston African American Community; Calls For Removal of Confederate Flag 
Nearly three years after a white supremacist killed six Sikhs in a Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, a similarly hateful attack terrorized another community in South Carolina. On June 17, a young racist shot nine African-American parishioners at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. targeting an institution that represented solidarity and strength for the local community. “All houses of worship are integral to American life,” SALDEF ED, Jasjit Singh, wrote in NBC News. “If our houses of worship are not safe and respected, the fabric of America is weakened to its core.” WATCH: SALDEF joins the conversation at D.C. vigil for Charleston victims READ: SALDEF ED’s commentary on the terror in South Carolina in The Washington Post READ: Jasjit Singh’s op-ed in NBC News’ Asian America VIEW: Photos from the vigil held by the Sikhs of Oak Creek Additionally, SALDEF urges all Sikh Americans to join neighbors and civil rights partners across the nation, in calling for the removal of the Confederate flag—a symbol of hate and division— from all government places. Continue to share this message with South Carolina’s government! ACTION: Tell Your Representative to Restore the VRA 
On June 25, marking the two year anniversary of the controversial case, Shelby County v. Holder, whereby the Supreme Court struck down key protections of the Voting Rights Act, hundreds of civil rights activists gathered in Roanoke, Virginia—the backyard of Representative Bob Goodlatte, the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee—to urge Congress to restore provisions and protect minority voters in states with a history of discrimination. SikhLEADer Tejpaul Singh Bainiwal, an intern at The Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights (LCCHR), who helped conduct outreach for the event, represented the Sikh American community at the rally. “Voting is a way for everyone, including minorities to voice their opinion and see the change they would like to see,” Bainiwal commented to protesters and reporters. “It is a basic right for all Americans.” Congress has introduced the Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA) to put key protections back in place at the polls, particularly protecting minority communities in states with a history of discrimination. Don’t let the 2016 Presidential election become the FIRST without voting protection for Americans. Send a message to your Congressional leader and tell him/her to restore the VRA today! SALDEF Prepares Houses of Worship for Emergencies through DHS Webinar As a member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Faith-Based Advisory Committee, Jasjit Singh, SALDEF’s Executive Director, addressed an audience from varied faith backgrounds on ways to prepare for emergencies at their houses of worship. The July 1 webinar—a collaborative effort between the DHS Center for Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships, a center of the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships and the Federal Emergency Management Agency—helped connect faith-based and community organizations with tools, resources, and partners. SALDEF Conducts Sensitivity Training for IRS 
On June 23, SALDEF staff conducted an online cultural sensitivity training for nearly 20 senior members of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Operations. The training—which educated the group about Sikh beliefs, articles of faith, and how to engage with the Sikh American community more effectively—precipitated when SALDEF expressed disappointment and concern regarding the treatment of a Sikh American couple during multiple visits to the IRS Office in Prince William County, Virginia in 2013. In addition to the presentation, the IRS will be circulating additional SALDEF training materials, including On Common Ground—a video produced with Department of Justice—with IRS leadership. SALDEF Joins with ADL and Faith-based Coalition in Obergefell v. Hodges 
SALDEF joined the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and a diverse coalition of religious organizations in an amicus brief in the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized gay marriage in the eyes of the US government. “This decision marks a historic step forward for equal rights in America and upholds the dignity of the LGBT community, ” explained Navdeep Singh, SALDEF’s Policy Director. “Religious and moral disapproval has historically been an unsustainable basis for justifying laws disadvantaging minority groups. The decision respects the rights of all persons to have their marriages recognized by the government, and it respects the First Amendment rights of religious institutions to practice their faith. We are encouraged by this decision, which recognizes the importance of equal rights for all communities.” WATCH: SALDEF Honored by APAICS 
On May 14, 2015 the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) honored Jasjit Singh and SALDEF with the Community Achievement Award. Watch the video introduction and share SALDEF’s work with others. And give back to SALDEF TODAY so we can continue to do this work.