New Jersey Proclaims April “Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month”

This past Monday, March 26, 2018, the New Jersey State Senate and Assembly passed a joint resolution designating April of every year as “Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month.” The passing of the bill comes at a critical time in the U.S, as according to the FBI, there has been an unprecedented spike in hate crimes. Recently elected Hoboken, NJ Mayor Ravi Singh Bhalla continues to face threats on a daily basis.

“The passing of this bill is a testament to all the Sikh Americans in New Jersey who have worked so hard to make this happen,” said SALDEF Executive Director Baldev Singh.“We are also especially proud of SALDEF SikhLEAD Alum Karanveer Singh Pannu who led the charge for the passing of this bill and actually developed its language during his time as a SikhLEAD intern. We hope that this momentum will lead to greater awareness and acceptance of Sikhs throughout New Jersey, and in legislatures across the US.”

SikhLEAD Intern Karanveer Singh Pannu wrote the resolution AJR 93 last year during his internship at Majority Leader Louis Greenwald’s office. Mr. Pannu worked for seven months on this resolution which unanimously passed this last week.

“This is an incredible victory for the Sikh American community in New Jersey and across the country,” said Mr. Pannu., After the community efforts and countless hours working with Assemblyman Greenwald’s office this past summer, I am beyond ecstatic that it was voted on Monday and successfully passed. This is the first step in teaching citizens of our great State of New Jersey that Sikhism represents the core values of equality, freedom, and social justice. Not only are Sikh Americans a critical component of American society but our faith follows the same core values that America was founded on and make us a great nation.”

 The passing of the joint resolution AJR 93, “Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month” also was a step towards creating a united front of Sikhs. Eight Sikh organizations came together to promote the resolution including:

American Sikh Council
Let’s Share a Meal
Sachkhand Express
Sikh American Chamber of Commerce
Sikh Coalition
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Sikh American Veterans Alliance
United Sikhs

The passing this joint resolution in the  New Jersey legislature with unanimous support is a testament to the States effort to stand for acceptance of all residents and stand against hate, by acknowledging the contributions and community service made by their Sikh American constituents.

If you are interested in finding out more about how to create a similar resolution in your state please email us at info@SALDEF.org.

SALDEF is dedicated to our mission which is to empower Sikh Americans by building dialogue, deepening understanding, promoting civic and political participation, and upholding social justice and religious freedom for all Americans.

Speakers

On Sunday, March 4th, 2018, SALDEF organized the 19th Know Your Rights Forum in Lawrenceville, NJ at the Sikh Sabha Gurdwara. The forum was attended by approximately 300 members of the Sangat. The speakers included, Mr. Harpreet Singh Mokha of the Department of Justice Community Relations Service, Mr. John Paige from the NJ-Department of Homeland Security, Mr. Anthony Zampogna and Mr. Arnold B. Adams from the FBI and Mr. David Leonardis from the New Jersey Attorney General Office.

The speakers at the19th Know Your Rights talked about many topics affecting the Sikh community. There was a strong emphasis on interpreting and dealing with bias. Bias incidents are an offense against a person or property motivated by the offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability or ethnic origin, BUT may not rise to the level of a crime.  According to Mr. Leonardis of the NJ Attorney General, “every local police department has a bias crime officer,” who will assist in evaluating and reporting the incident. According to Anthony Zampogna of the FBI, “It is not easy to evaluate whether you are dealing with a matter of just hateful language to you or whether it is a crime – and you are not alone in figuring that out.”

If you are unable to attend a Know Your Rights Forum please check out our Youtube page to watch clips from this past forum in Lawrenceville NJ.

We would like to Thank Mr. Jangpartap Singh of the Sikh Sabha Gurdwara who helped us organize the event.

SALDEF is committed to empowering the Sikh American community nationwide about their rights and how to exercise them without fear or hesitation.

 If you feel your local Sangat could benefit from a Know Your Rights forum, please complete this form or contact know-your-rights@saldef.org.

Join us now to support SALDEF’s critical work at this pivotal time.

N A T U R E

On Sunday, March 11th, 2018, SALDEF organized the 20th Know Your Rights Forum in Buena Park, CA at the Gurdwara Singh Sabha. The forum was attended by approximately 300 members of the Sangat. The speakers included, Pearl Saracho of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Puneet Sandhu of the South Asian Bar Association, Mehtab Sandhu from the San Bernardino District Attorney’s office, Michael Ramey from the FBI and James Williams for the Department of Justice Community Relations Service.

The speakers at the forum talked about many topics affecting the Sikh community including:

  • Workplace discrimination
  • Bias crimes
  • Civil Rights
  • Opportunities to improve law enforcement and community relationships

If you are unable to attend a Know Your Rights Forum please check out our youtube page to watch clips from previous forums. https://youtu.be/EK6zVrKG5xg

Finally, SALDEF would like to thank Mr. Jagjit Singh and the Committee of the Gurdwara Singh Sabha who helped us organize the event, and also thank SALDEF Western Regional Director Bhupy Kaur for coordinating and facilitating the event.

Twenty-five years oflove and adventure.

SALDEF is committed to empowering the Sikh American community nationwide about their rights and how to exercise them without fear or hesitation.

If you feel your local Sangat could benefit from a Know Your Rights forum, please complete this form or contact know-your-rights@saldef.org.

Join us now to support SALDEF’s critical work at this pivotal time.

CapitolThe fear and concerns these students are expressing are valid and data supports this. According to a report by Everytown for Gun Safety, seven children are killed each day by gun violence. Additionally, for each student shot, two more are injured bringing the total to an average of 21 children shot each day. These numbers are 25% higher than other developed nations across the world and paint a somber picture along with the United States having the highest rate of gun violence, in the world.

SALDEF supports tactful legislation to combat these issues. The Sikh American community continues to face violence across the country ranging from hate crimes and attacks upon our homes, businesses, and places of worship, most notably the massacre at the Oak Creek Gurdwara in 2012, where 6 worshippers were killed.

Last year, SALDEF hosted a Gun Violence Awareness event in conjunction with Everytown for Gun Safety. At this event, Kamal Saini, who lost his mother in the tragic shooting at the Oak Creek Gurdwara said, “In the aftermath of the Oak Creek tragedy, I learned that it takes unity, and it takes communities coming together for progress to happen.”

We urge our elected officials to heed the words of Mr. Saini, and of those students protesting today, and come together on this issue that affects ALL Americans and protect our children and our communities.

Kids At White HoUse

N A T U R E (3) On Sunday, February 25th, 2018, SALDEF organized its 18th  Know Your Rights Forum in Charlotte, N.C. at the Gurdwara Sahib Charlotte. The event was attended by about 200 members of the Sangat. The speakers at the event included  Mr. Phil Jordan from the North Carolina Human Relations Commission,  Mr. Dion Lyons of the Department of Justice Community Relations Service, Ms. Patricia Fuller from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and Mr. Don Shank  and Ms. Eudania Burrell, of the TSA, from the Charlotte International Airport. Since March 26, 2017, SALDEF has conducted 18 Know Your Rights Forums and has two planned for this coming weekend in Lawrenceville NJ and Buena Park CA. With the completion of these two Know Your Rights Forums, SALDEF will have reached its projected goal of 20 forums over a year-long period. Upcoming Know Your Rights

  • Sunday, March 4 – Sikh Sabha of New Jersey, 282 Bakers Basin Rd,  Lawrenceville NJ
  • Sunday, March 11 – Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Buena Park, 7122 Orangethorpe Ave, Buena Park, CA

We would like to thank Mr. Inderjeet Rajpal President of Gurdwara and Dr. Surendrapal Singh Mac for hosting the Know Your Rights Forum this past weekend at the Gurdwara Sahib Charlotte in Charlotte NC. Twenty-five years oflove and adventure. (1) SALDEF is committed to empowering the Sikh American community nationwide about their rights and how to exercise them without fear or hesitation. If you feel your local Sangat could benefit from a Know Your Rights forum, please complete this form or contact know-your-rights@saldef.org.  Join us now to support SALDEF’s critical work at this pivotal time.