SALDEF Recognized with Asian American Community Award 
Earlier this summer, SALDEF was honored to receive the prestigious Community Award at the Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) 31st Annual Gala. SALDEF has been proud to partner with LEAP on a number of initiatives, as well as graduate two staff members from their non-profit leadership programs. LEAP has been intent on “growing leaders” within Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities, and works to meet its mission of achieving full participation and equality for APIs through leadership, empowerment, and policy. SALDEF would like to extend its humble thanks to LEAP, their entire Board and Staff and especially President and CEO Linda Akutagawa, for this recognition. To watch the presentation and acceptance speech, click here. TSA Officers and Screeners Successfully Trained in Chelsea, MA 
On September 30, SALDEF Northeast Regional Director, Jaswant Chani, conducted a Sikh awareness training for members of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) office in Chelsea, MA. The training provided information on the Sikh faith and theology, as well as the challenges facing Sikh Americans. The presentation included the viewing of SALDEF’s training video On Common Ground. This is a continuation of the partnership of several years that SALDEF has had with TSA to train their officers across the Northeast under our Law Enforcement Partnership Program. Hate-Crimes-Prevention Forum Held in Orlando, FL As a follow up to the earlier forum held in Daytona Beach recently, a wider scale Hate-Crimes-Prevention Forum was held on September 23 in Orlando, Florida. Members of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as civil rights and other community organizations gathered at the Unitarian Church of Orlando, to discuss the concern around hate crimes and methods of prevention. This forum was organized by the Department of Justice Community Relations Service and SALDEF Regional Director, Navtej Singh Khalsa. The over 50 attendees and panelists included representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, the Orange County Sherrif’s Office, Orlando Police Department, Seminole County Sherriff’s Office, educational institutions, civil-rights, other community organizations, to an array of community and faith-based leaders and concerned citizens. SALDEF Invited to Sit on Panel Discussing Racial Justice Post 9/11 
On September 1, SALDEF Policy Director, Navdeep Singh, sat on a panel discussing how the paradigm of racial justice has changed post 9/11 and what we can do to build stronger coalitions within and between our communities as we work toward greater understanding, awareness and progress in a pluralistic American society. Joining Navdeep on the panel were representatives from CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) and the Sikh Coalition. The panel was held at Busboys and Poets in Washington, D.C. and was a part of their A.C.T.O.R series – a monthly Busboys and Poets produced discussion series that provides the opportunity for people to come together and speak openly and honestly about issues of race. The intent is that each person walks away from the discussion feeling something: challenged, educated, uncomfortable, enlightened, refreshed, reassured and hopefully inspired and moved to action! SALDEF Regional Director Participates in Panel at Florida College On September 18, SALDEF Regional Director, Navtej Singh, participated on a panel at the 11th Global Peace Film Festival being held at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Theme was “What is Peace?” The panel included members of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Sikh faiths. It was a thought-provoking panel discussion covering global human rights violations throughout history and including current hot spots including Syria. This was followed by an engaging discussion between the panel and audience. Order Sikh American Information Cards Today! 
Educate your neighbors, friends, and co-workers about Sikh Americans in an easy, informative way through our newly redesigned Sikh Information Cards. The 2013 Sikh Information Cards are the size of a standard business card and feature full-color images of Sikh Americans, along with examples of core Sikh values and facts about Sikhs in the United States on the front and back of the card. Like the pocket calendars that were produced in the past, these new cards are perfect for distribution at your workplace, schools, convenience stores, gas stations, taxi cabs, restaurants, or public libraries. Sikhs across the nation have shared them with their friends, neighbors, customers, and local officials. Spanish Language cards are also available. The cards are available in bundles of 100 for $10 plus shipping and handling fees. Order here today Follow Us on FACEBOOK and Twitter
To stay more informed about our work and opportunities that may arise for community involvement, please ‘LIKE” us on Facebook. Also, please become a follow of SALDEF on Twitter and get real-time updates about current events in the Sikh American community, issues we are working on, and meetings we are attending. Check out our recent activity and follow us at facebook.com/SALDEF and twitter.com/saldef Upcoming Events:
- October 17th — Los Angeles County Bullying Conference — Los Angeles, CA
- October 29th — Howard Law School Panel — Washington, D.C.
- October 29th — EEOC Staff Training — San Diego, CA
- November 8th — NAPABA National Convention Panel — Kansas City, MO
- November 14th — AAJC Conference — Los Angeles, CA