SALDEF, SABA-DC and NASABA organize forum to inform business owners about their rights and obligations under DC, Virginia, Maryland and federal law Washington D.C. – April 13, 2007: The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) has partnered with the South Asian Bar Association of Washington D.C. (SABA-DC) and the National South Asian Bar Association (NASABA) to organize a Know Your Rights Outreach and Compliance Seminar for Convenience Store and Gas Station Owners in the Virginia, Maryland, and Metro DC areas on April 22, 2007 at the National Gurdwara in Washington, D.C. Federal and State authorities have begun to strictly regulate the sale of everyday cold medications that can be used to manufacture the illegal and highly dangerous drug methamphetamine (also known as “Meth”). In 2005, 44 South Asian convenience store clerks and owners were arrested for selling ingredients that could have been used to create methamphetamine, but many of these people were unaware of the law and their rights. As a result, some of the storeowners lost their businesses and were deported back to India and Pakistan. Due to the increased use of cold medicines purchased at retail outlets by illegal methamphetamine manufacturers and drug addicts, Congress enacted the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005. This law establishes requirements for selling products containing ephedrine and pseudo ephedrine, which can be used for illegal production of methamphetamine. Across the nation, sellers of products containing these ingredients must follow the new law and the regulations it imposes on them. In addition, some states have enacted their own laws which in some instances may be tougher than the federal law. What: Know Your Rights Forum: Outreach and Compliance Seminar for Convenience and Gas Store Owners in the VA, MD, and DC areas When: Sunday, April 22nd — 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Where: National Gurdwara 3801 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20016 Who: Hassan Ahmed, Immigration Attorney; Law Offices of Nubani & Hassan, VA Manubir Arora, Criminal Defense Attorney; Atlanta, GA Vivek Chopra, Former State Prosecutor; Montgomery County, MD Dave Vatti, Federal Prosecutor; United States Attorney’s Office, CT SALDEF, SABA-DC and NASABA would like to ensure that local business owners are aware of their rights and obligations under District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, and federal law. For more information about this event, visit www.saldef.org or contact AS202-393-2700 or info@saldef.org
