Over the last month SALDEF representatives have had the opportunity to participate in engaging presentations, panel discussions, and workshops on University campuses in California, Maryland, and Washington D.C. 
On October 2nd, SALDEF Board Member, Kavneet Singh, participated on a panel discussion entitled “Terrorism or Hate Crime” at the University of Southern California (USC). The panel, sponsored by CREATE Homeland Security Center, gathered terrorism and hate crime experts to explain and respond to questions challenging conventional wisdom on these pressing issues. Discussion topics included: what the threshold is to be considered a domestic terrorist organization, the differences between a hate crime and domestic terrorism, and further exploring if these parameters are meeting a preconceived “profile” that relegates specific offenses to hate crimes instead of acts of terrorism. The over 75 attendees represented local and federal law enforcement officials, students and community members with an interest in hate crimes and/or domestic terrorism. Mr. Singh was joined on the panel by Arif Alikhan, Deputy Executive Director of Homeland Security at Los Angeles World Airports; Dr. Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life at USC; and Erroll Southers, Associate Director at CREATE, Price School of Policy and Professor in Homeland Security and Public Policy, To view the panel in its entirety, please click here. 
On October 15th, SALDEF Board Member, Parminder Singh spoke to undergraduate students and community members from Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, MD. Mr. Singh gave an introductory presentation about Sikhs and Sikhism, discussing current issues faced by Sikh Americans such as discrimination, denial of public accommodations, school bullying, and hate/bias based incidents. He also spoke about the work of SALDEF, the tragic shooting at Oak Creek, and what it is like growing up as a Sikh American. The presentation was attended by 20 individuals, with an engaging student audience. 
Similarly, SALDEF Board Chair, Manjit Singh, spoke to Masters of Divinity graduate students from Wake Forest University on Friday, October 19th in Washington, D.C. Mr. Singh spoke as part of the graduate course in Christianity and Public Policy. Mr. Singh gave an introductory presentation about Sikhism and Sikh Americans. He also spoke about the work of SALDEF and the increase in hate crimes against Sikh Americans. The presentation was attended by 25 students and was followed by a Q&A session. 
On October 23rd the University of Southern California’s Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS) Cultural Centerbrought together students to discuss issues around hate violence, the current political climate, and problems affecting the South Asian and Middle Eastern communities via a panel discussion titled “From Mesa to Oak Creek: Where Are We Now?”. There were over 40 students in attendance, with panelists including Dean Varun Soni with the Office of Religious Life, Taz Ahmed with the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, and SALDEF’s Community Relations Associate, Birpal Kaur. Students asked questions about policy issues, discrimination, and media reporting related to the Oak Creek tragedy and a discussion was facilitated to understand the climate of hate since 9/11. 
Lastly, SALDEF Executive Director, Jasjit Singh spoke to a South Asian Studies class from Towson University near Baltimore, MD on November 14th. The presentation included an introduction to Sikh Americans and current challenges. The presentation was followed by a lively discussion about how to balance national security and religious liberty. The presentation was attended by 20 students and was followed by a Q&A session. SALDEF is pleased to continue to engage and educate students and the general public on Sikh Americans and Sikhism. If you are interested in coordinating a speaker for an event please contact us.
