SALDEF Mid-Year Impact Report

The second quarter of 2019 is complete and SALDEF has continued to work to advocate, educate and empower Sikh Americans across the nation. Here are a few of our recent accomplishments!  

SALDEF has hosted 12 Know Your Rights Forums this year in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and New York. The SALDEF team plans to host at least two Know Your Rights Forums each month for the remainder of the year, expanding our reach to new states across the nation. Want to host a Know Your Rights in your Gurdwara? Please email: my-rights-training@saldef.org

In the first half of 2019, SALDEF continued to train law enforcement nationwide to ensure fair treatment of all Sikh Americans. SALDEF will continue to conduct a series of Train-the-Trainer sessions across the country on Sikh awareness training for law enforcement, in an effort to support the growing demand and need for our Law Enforcement Partnership Program. 

Highlights: 

  • Trained over 410 officers in 2019 across the country.  
  • Worked in collaboration with Federal Agencies to develop and train training programs
  • Partnered with the Clear Institute to create materials for officers across New Jersey 
  • Conducted a Sikh Awareness training at the Annual FBI Conference for officers and management from regional offices

Please contact us to bring this training to your state by emailing: sikh-training@saldef.org

Each year SALDEF takes on new challenges that face Sikh Americans, Asian Americans, and all Americans.

Highlights:

  • Hosted a Protecting Places of Worship Forum in Fort Wayne, Indiana
  • SALDEF fought for asylum seekers that were mistreated hosting congressional briefings and meeting with ICE and DHS to ensure humane and fair treatment
  • Supported Airman 1st Class Harpreetinder Singh Bajwa in getting a religious accommodation to wear a turban, beard and uncut hair while serving
  • Research and Advocacy for H2 and H4 visa holders
  • 2020 Census research and advocacy to remove the citizenship question 
  • Multiple TSA meetings to ensure the rights of travelers
  • Events to highlight the increase in and awareness about gun-related violence 

This summer, the Washington DC SikhLEAD Internship Program placed fourteen university students in the federal government and non-profit positions. And our New Jersey SikhLEAD Internship Program placed nine New Jersey high school and university students in New Jersey state government and non-profit positions this summer. 

Highlights:

  • Langar on the Hill- This year’s Langar on the Hill was sponsored by Senator Kamala Harris (CA) and the theme was “Sikhs. Solidarity. Service.” The theme reminds us of the Sikh’s practice of Seva which is the responsibility of Sikh’s to engage in selfless community service.
  • The SikhLEAD interns integrated a Seva project into the event by creating and donating additional proceeds to DC Books to Prisons. The events speakers included, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA), Congressman TJ Cox (CA), and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL). 
  • New Jersey Speakership Series- SikhLEAD New Jersey Internship program began a speakership series designed to help the interns build relationships, learn about job opportunities and grow their workplace skills. The series has had multiple speakers such as Assemblyman Daniel R. Benson, Middlesex County Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, and Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Karabinchak, Shariq Ahmad. 
  • Networking Reception- SALDEF hosted a Networking Reception to give interns an opportunity to build connections with professionals from Washington DC. 


SALDEF’s media initiative and awareness efforts are focused on addressing hate through the media and combatting rhetoric that enforces bias. We have a vigilant mediawatch effort that ensures that bias and hate are addressed, and also focus on amplifying the Sikh American voice throughout mainstream media.  We also work to educate all Americans on the Sikh American story through different media platforms. 

Highlights:

  • Throughout June, Comcast aired the Sikh American PSA 98,509 times, committing $1.08 million to share this message that conveys Sikh values, and Sikh American lives played on national airwaves. 
  • In June the PSA was viewed over 10 million times across the nation.
  • Worked with journalists from across the country to provide expertise and comment. This included working with outlets such as Fox, CNN, Huffington Post, Washington Post, AP and more. 

Dear Prabhleen Kaur Ji,

This week’s 2019 SikhLEAD Summer Internship Spotlight features Meher Kaur! Meher interned with the Center for Global Development. Here is what she had to say about her SikhLEAD Experience:

My name is Meher Kaur, I am studying at the University of Richmond in Virginia. 

How has your internship helped you?

I know I had an interest in global development but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the path of research or the path of policy. This experience really gave me the chance to do some data analytics research looking at global connectivity and I think it really helped me clarify that I wanted to do research in the future.

How does being Sikh tie into your interests?

Growing up as a Sikh American really laid the foundation for my interests in human rights and combining that with my international perspective I think everyone has the right to all civil and human rights.  

Click here to watch   

ORLANDO, FL – SALDEF participated on a panel at the 70th International Association of Human Right Agencies event held Tuesday, August 20th. The panel entitled “Empowered and undivided by our different religious beliefs,” discussed pressing community issues, hate crimes based on religious beliefs and against minorities, and mass shootings. 

The panel begin with a historical overview of the use of the term “hate crime” and the history of legislating these crimes. The discussion then moved to the sociological effects of hate crimes on communities and what has been the faith-based resistance to these hate movements. The panel then examined the context in which hate movements are emerging now and what communities could do to stop them.  

SALDEF Regional Director Navtej S. Khalsa highlighted the increase of hate crimes against members of the Sikh community and what SALDEF has been doing to help bring about change through education and Seva (community service). According to government statistics, since 2016, there has been an overall increase in hate crimes by 17 percent. 

“Education is important to bring about tolerance and reduce xenophobia between people,” Khalsa said. “Even though there is the separation of church and state in the United States, there should be education in public schools on the various faiths to eradicate ignorance,” he added. 

The panel discussion was attended by 35 participants from various governmental human rights agencies and was part of a larger multi-day event.

SALDEF in the News

City Council to decide on naming new park after Sikh civil rights leader after committee vote
The Bakersfield City Council will decide if a new park in Bakersfield, California will be named after Sikh civil rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra on Tuesday. “Proponents of the name say it would signal to Bakersfield’s Sikh residents that the city welcomes the group with open arms, and would provide a place for those residents to gather.” 

Recent News

Elderly man beaten and robbed inside Rockville home, police say
79-year-old Sikh-American, Satpal Singh was found badly injured Monday afternoon in his home along Arctic Avenue in Rockville. Mandeep Narula, Singh’s son added that “The door was unlocked…I see him lying in a pool of blood.”  He says Singh’s wallet was stolen potentially along with other items. Montgomery County Police are currently investigating the attack. 

British Sikh Girl Called a ‘Terrorist’ By Bullies, ‘Dangerous’ By Parents Because of Her Turban
Munsimar Kaur recalls how other kids at Plumstead Adventure Play Centre had rejected her when she asked to play with them last week in London. At the age of ten-years-old Kaur spoke out in a video posted on Twitter and added “they said, loud and clear, ‘No, you can’t play because you are a terrorist…This obviously broke my heart, but I kept my head up and I went away.”

Sikh community celebrates law banning religious garb discrimination
Last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Religious Garb Bill, which prohibits discrimination based on religious attire after years of advocacy by religious organizations, including members of the Sikh community. Assemblymember David Weprin and Senator John Liu sponsored the bill and joined local lawmakers and advocates of various races and religions at the Sikh Cultural Society in Richmond Hill on Tuesday to celebrate the new law.

UC Berkeley Sikh Student Association releases statement showing support for people of Kashmir
The UC Berkeley Sikh Student Association released a statement to show its support for the people of Kashmir as well as to urge UC Berkeley to “re-examine” current partnerships the campus has with the government of India. In the email, students from the SSA added: “For our organization, it is deeply unsettling that despite the genocidal tendencies and oppressive regime of the Indian State.”

The Gathering Threat Of Domestic Terrorism
The article is calling the President to reach out to the leaders of the House and Senate and ask them to join him in a nationally televised address to the nation, calling on all Americans to denounce racism, division, and hate and the Department of Justice, including the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security to establish a joint task force to track domestic terrorism. As well as the United States Congress to enact appropriate legislation to counter potential domestic terrorist groups and individuals. 

How South Asian Americans are reckoning with Partition’s legacy 72 years later
The article examines how the Partition of Punjab has long-lasting effects even today as it devastated South Asia’s Sikhs, whose pilgrimage routes were now interrupted by a militarized border. “Meanwhile, Mishra explains, Sikh Americans were careful not simply to parrot the ‘We are not Muslims’ refrain — a response that would nonetheless scapegoat millions of innocent American Muslims who had no connection to terrorist activities.”


This week’s 2019 SikhLEAD Summer Internship Spotlight features Harnoor Singh! Harnoor interned with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and also had the opportunity to conduct a training on Sikhism for his colleagues at the EEOC. Here is what he had to say about his SikhLEAD Experience:

My name is Harnoor Singh, I am studying at the University of Michigan and I am interning with the Enforcement Team of the EEOC Washington DC Field Office. 

What is one takeaway from your internship at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)?

One big thing has been how to deal with people that are going through really hard situations and how to deal with them in a way that is not going to aggravate the situation – really just learning how to empathize. 

What would you say to prospective SikhLEAD interns?

This is a really amazing way to get that internship placement and also find some great community if that is something that interests you I would greatly encourage you to apply. 

Click here to watch   

Donate now by clicking here – and ensure Sikh American youths like Harnoor Singh get the chance to become our next generation of leaders and change-makers. 

SikhLEAD Updates:

SikhLEAD New Jersey Internship Program held speakership series the past two weekends. The series is designed to introduce interns to different opportunities, build networks and learn the different pathway these speakers took to get to where they are today. 

On Sunday, August 10, the series highlighted successful women in politics the speakers included Mayor of Montgomery Sadaf Jaffer, and Inspiring South Asian American Women’s President Suchitra Kamath. Mayor Sadaf Jaffer talked about the importance of representation in government and the importance of having different perspectives at the table. 

On Sunday, August 18, the series highlighted Sikhs in the Military, the speaker was LTC Kamal S. Kalsi. LTC Kalsi shared his experience in the U.S. Army and the process of seeking the religious exemption to be able to wear a turban as part of his uniform.

This week’s 2019 SikhLEAD Summer Internship Spotlight features Nitasha Giran! Nitasha interned with Faith in Public Life. Here is what she had to say about her SikhLEAD Experience:

My name is Nitasha Giran, I am a rising senior studying International Studies at Vassar College, and I am from Chandler, Arizona. 

Do you feel pressured to represent the Sikh community?

With my placement this summer I felt more comfortable about representing the Sikh Community. With being affiliated with SALDEF, I felt more professionally connected with the Sikh American Network and qualified to represent the Sikh American community.

What has been the highlight of your internship thus far?

Seeing a whole summer’s worth of work come together during Langar on the Hill was the most rewarding and memorable experience. We got to see that as undergraduate students we can still organize an event this monumental for the Sikh American community. Which brings out really important people who work on Capitol Hill to increase our visibility. 

Click here to watch  

SALDEF in the News

Bipartisan resolution introduced to recognise contributions of Sikh Americans
On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of  US lawmakers introduced a resolution in the Congress recognizing the contribution of Sikh Americans in the country. The resolution states that Sikh Americans, “pursue diverse professions that add to the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of the US, including service as members of the Armed Forces, and making significant contributions to our great nation in agriculture, information technology, small businesses, the hospitality industry, trucking, medicine, and technology.” Additionally, SALDEF commented, “We sincerely appreciate Congressman Cox’s efforts in recognizing the Sikh American community and its contributions to this great nation.”

Recent News

Gov. J.B. Pritzker designates April as ‘Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month’
Governor JB Pritzker signed a new law, taking effect on January 1, 2019, which designates April as Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month in the state of Illinois. In Pritzker’s comment he adds, “as we shape our state to be a place that embraces our future with open arms, we would do well to take a page from the Sikh community.”                                            

Turban Day: Niagara Falls holds celebration of Sikh culture
The Western New York Sikh community held the second annual Turban Day event on Goat Island in Niagara Falls, N.Y this past weekend. The goal of the event was to educate people about the Sikh faith and teach attendees about the significance of the turban.

Another weekend, two more mass shootings in America
“A beloved Northern California festival, a neighborhood Walmart in Mississippi, another Walmart near the US-Mexico border and a popular entertainment district.” These four locations were the scenes of shootings which together left at least 34 people dead and more than 50 wounded, this past week. The deadliest shooting took place in El Paso, Texas where while Families were buying school supplies ahead of the first day of classes next week, a shooter murdered twenty people and injured 26. After learning that the suspect wrote a four-page document posted online that espouses white nationalist and racist views, Gov. Greg Abbott said the case will be prosecuted “as both a capital murder but also as a hate crime.” 


‘RAG HEAD: An American Story’ play remembers Sikh Temple shooting
This Monday marked the seventh anniversary of the mass shooting at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek where six people were killed and several were wounded. Rag Head, An American Story, is a play based on the events that took place and it addresses hate crimes against immigrant communities. The play was only on this past weekend at the Broadway Theater in Milwaukee, where all three shows were sold out. The play’s associate producer, Pardeep Singh Kaleka, lost his father in the shooting. Kaleka added that hearing about two mass shootings in the span of 24 hours is tiresome, but it’s furthered his mission to keep spreading a message of love.

Religious leaders lament mass shootings, call for action from Trump, Congress
Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO of Faith in Public Life added that “On the seventh anniversary of the attack on the Sikh temple at Oak Creek, which killed six people, we mourn continued mass murder in El Paso and Dayton. People are being murdered by weapons of war because of their race, their religion or simply being in the wrong place.”

Gun violence vigil remembers Sikh Temple attack, mourns victims of past weekend’s shootings
Over a hundred faith leaders, politicians, activists, and enraged citizens converged on Walker Square Park for a vigil to remember the seventh anniversary of the Oak Creek Sikh temple shooting as well as to mourn the victims of recent mass shootings in California, Texas, and Ohio. The attendees came bearing signs reading #WeAreOakCreek, #WeAreGilroy, #WeAreElPaso and #WeAreDayton. “In addition to mourning the victims of recent shootings, many of the vigil’s speakers emphasized the importance of sustained action in the face of gun violence.”

Bulletproof backpacks have become another back-to-school staple
Many office supply stores are selling the Guard Dog Security’s ProShield Scout backpacks with signs on their displays which say, “protection in session” and “bullet-resistant backpack.” “In recent years, there has been an increase in bullet-resistant consumer products coinciding with the rise in shootings at schools and other public places.” 

‘They’re going to lose everything’: Families are devastated after Mississippi ICE raids
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation resulted in about 680 arrests from seven different food processing plants across Mississippi. It was the largest workplace sting in at least a decade. Family members of those detained added “When the bus comes, oh, everybody was jumping for joy. It was very exciting. But at the same time, it was sad because a bunch of us waited for the loved ones to get off the bus and a lot of them didn’t get off.”

Bhagat Singh Thind’s Case Shows The Link Between Whiteness and Citizenship
Bhagat Singh Thind’s story revealed how powerful institutions used the concept of “whiteness” to decide who gets to be a citizen in America. As soon as Thind’s U.S. citizenship application was accepted in 1920, a naturalization examiner appealed the Oregon court’s decision, kicking off what would become a fierce fight to gain citizenship. The main statutes determining eligibility at the time were the Naturalization Act of 1790, which limited naturalization of immigrants to any “free white person” of “good character.”


The first-ever Sikh American public service announcement aired again this year, for the sixth consecutive year! Throughout June, Comcast aired the PSA 98,509 times, committing $1.08 million to sharing this message that conveys Sikh values, and Sikh American lives played on national airwaves.  The PSA features Sikh American actor and designer, Waris Singh Ahluwalia, and incorporates pictures and videos from other Sikh Americans across the country, to increase awareness of, and illustrate how Sikh Americans are a vibrant part of the country.

Click here to watch the Sikh American PSA

At SALDEF, one of our key strategic priorities is to increase the awareness and media presence of Sikh Americans. To that end, SALDEF and Comcast partnered to produce the PSA, which first debuted on cable air in 2014, and has aired over 750,000 times, with donated airtime of over $8.4 million dollars. By conservative estimates, the PSA has been seen over 100 million times, and it is the most viewed piece on Sikh Americans ever. 

SALDEF and the Sikh American community are incredibly thankful to Comcast for their ongoing commitment to creating awareness about diverse communities by dedicating airtime this summer for the Sikh American PSA. Comcast, a global media and technology company, aired this PSA as part of the company’s commitment to educating audiences on a variety of issues. 

Get involved by amplifying this Sikh American message by sharing it with your family, friends, and neighbors! Here is how you can share:

  1. Post it on Facebook and Twitter and tag @SALDEF
  2. Post a screenshot on Instagram and tag @SikhAmericans


This week’s 2019 SikhLEAD Summer Internship Spotlight features Selena Kaur Grover! Selena interned with Faith in Public Life. Here is what she had to say about her SikhLEAD Experience:

My name is Selena Grover, I am from the suburbs of Chicago and I am currently a student at the University of Michigan. 

What have you learned from your time in DC?

I have learned how to be independent and how to take initiative. Planning Langar on the Hill with a group of fourteen kids was tough when everyone has different opinions. But, we really learned how to work together and make compromises to work towards our shared goal of hosting a successful event. 

What was the highlight of your internship?

The people I got to meet. The people from Faith in Public Life, SALDEF office, and SikhLEAD program all came from very different backgrounds and they all have different stories. And, it has been very interesting to see how people’s backgrounds have led them to where they are today and what has caused everyone to be united under this mission of social justice here in D.C. 


Click here to watch

SALDEF in the News

Sikh Priest Amarjit Singh Attacked Near Gurdwara in Central California
A Granthi at the Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple Hughson, Amarjit Singh was attacked in the Gurdwara last Friday night. Singh was attacked July 25 night at his home opposite the Gurdwara by a suspect who broke several windows, punched him in the back of his neck, and then yelled ‘go back to your country,’ before racing off on foot.

ICE Force-Hydrating Indian Asylum Seekers in El Paso, Texas in Violation of Constitution, Say Immigrant Advocates
Three Indian nationals have been forced to receive IV drips at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas as they approach their third week of a hunger strike, according to their attorney. After several months of being locked up, the men are trying to appeal or reopen asylum claims that were denied and as of Sunday, they had gone 20 days without food. SALDEF along with other organizations is circulating a petition in Congress to stop the practice of intravenous forced hydration. The article includes SALDEF’s Media and Communications Director, Gujari Singh’s quote that “We have been telling detention centers about these issues for a long time, but we’re not seeing any change. People are still not being humanely treated.” 

American Superhero: Sikh Captain America is enlisting more champions
Cartoonist Vishavjit Singh brings a distinctive look as Sikh Captain America, with his turban, long beard, glasses and brown skin stand in contrast to the way we’re used to seeing the fictional hero presented. Singh adds, “I want that image, that powerful image of me — skinny, glasses, turban, beard…I’m trying to confuse people to a certain extent, so they will start asking questions, so they will start exploring, so they’ll start asking why.” He’s helped break down barriers, educate people on the Sikh religion and challenged assumptions of who is American.

Recent News

Planning Commission takes up Sikh Temple expansion
The SolanoCounty Planning Commission in Fairfield, take part in a public hearing over the construction of a new 15,600-square-foot Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, more than twice the size of what is allowed under the current permit. The Gurdwara wants to expand its size to accommodate up to 600 people per weekly service, as well as increasing its parking, vehicle access. 

Sikh Temple Will Highlight U.S Religious Pluralism At Lenexa Corner
A Gurdwara is being built to serve 150 families close to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mesquite, Nevada. The president of the congregation, Swinder Singh commented that “It will be beautiful…“We are proud of being in this country and that they accommodate us.”

‘Rag Head’ Explores What It Means To Be An American, Honors Sikh Temple Shooting Victims
During the Oak Creek Gurdwara Shooting, seven years ago Sundeep Morrison’s parents, who usually go to that Gurdwara happened to have gone to a different Gurdwara that morning. Filled with anger, fear and sadness, the Los Angeles-based writer, actor, director, and activist began to write a story. “The story evolved into a one-woman show called Rag Head, which will be making its Milwaukee debut this weekend at the Broadway Theatre Center to benefit the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee.”

ICE is Detaining More People Than Ever—and For Longer
Between May and July of this year, the average number of days detainees spent in custody went from 28 to 46. Additionally, the number of people being held in United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities reached an all-time high this week, as there are currently 55,185people in ICE’s custody, which represents a jump of almost 3,000 in comparison to just last week. Furthermore, the current number of people in custody far surpasses the number of occupied beds ICE should have.

GoDaddy appoints Aman Bhutani as CEO
GoDaddy and its Board of Directors have named a member of the Sikh community, Aman Bhutani as the company’s new CEO. GoDaddy’s Chief Executive Officer, Scott Wagner added that “Aman brings a wealth of experience to GoDaddy – an extraordinary track record in growing a scaled business, deep expertise in product and engineering, and strong delivery across go-to-market.  Aman is an exceptional leader, and has created strong followings in every organization he’s led.” Before this position, Bhutani served as President of Brand Expedia Group.