SALDEF Expresses Disappointment with Congressional Defeat of Landmark Hate Crimes Legislation Washington, D.C. – December 7, 2007: The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the nation’s oldest and largest Sikh American civil rights organization, today expressed its extreme disappointed with the recent defeat of vital hate crime legislation in Congress. “Every year, Sikh Americans across the nation find themselves the victims of hate crimes without any support from their local police departments,” remarked SALDEF National Director Rajbir Singh Datta. “The United States Congress must exemplify the courage necessary to ensure that we are welcoming of our nation’s diversity rather than in strict opposition to it.” The bill would have strengthened the ability of federal, state, and local governments to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. The bill helps state and local anti-bias efforts by enabling the Justice Department to assist them in the investigation and prosecution of all hate crimes. This bill is vital in areas of the United States where the local officials choose not, or do not, have the resources to investigate and prosecute assailants of hate crimes. SALDEF would like to thank the supporters who signed a petition in support of sustaining hate crime protections with the current legislation. While we are all disappointed at the recent news, SALDEF will continue to work to ensure that strong anti-hate crimes legislation is passed. SALDEF is a member of a national coalition of over 200 civil rights, faith-based, law enforcement, and women’s groups who worked to advocate for hate crimes legislation in Congress. For more information about hate crimes legislation please click here.
