SMART urges the Sikh communities in California to call the office of the San Francisco Mayor and Police Department Washington, DC – Sukhpal Singh Sodhi, a San Francisco cab driver, was murdered in the early hours of Sunday August 4, while driving home. Sukhpal Singh was the brother of Balbir Singh Sodhi, who was murdered in Arizona in the aftermath of 9/11. Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh advocacy group, contacted the FBI and urged it to investigate the killing as a possible hate crime. SMART is very concerned by news reports quoting San Francisco Police Department detectives as saying, “the investigation is in the preliminary stage,” and who also simultaneously concluded that “we don’t believe this is a hate crime at all.” These statements indicate that the police department has unfortunately concluded that Sukhpal Singh’s murder is not a hate crime prior to conducting an aggressive and complete investigation. SMART would like to see those responsible for this crime brought to justice irrespective of their motives. However, SMART urges the Sikh communities in California to write or call the office of the San Francisco Mayor and Police Department and urge them to fully investigate this killing as a possible hate crime. Willie L. Brown, Jr., Mayor City Hall, Room 200 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: (415) 554-6141 Fax: (415) 252-3107 (TDD) Email: damayor@sfgov.org San Francisco Police Department Public Affairs Office 850 Bryant Street San Francisco, CA 94103-4603 Phone: (415) 533-1651 Fax: (415) 553-1554 Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to call the San Francisco Police Department’s homicide division at (415) 431-2127. SMART will keep the community informed about any developments in this case and on the progress of the investigation. About SMART: Founded in 1996 to promote the fair and accurate portrayal of Sikh Americans and the Sikh religion in American media and society, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, member based organization. Its mission is to combat bigotry and prejudice, protect the rights and religious freedoms of Sikh Americans, and provide resources that empower the Sikh American community.
