Advocate: SALDEF Continues Educational Outreach Efforts Across the Country

SALDEF Speaks at North American Conference for South Asian Attorneys SALDEF was asked to participate in the annual North American South Asian Bar Association Conference (NASABA) that took place in Philadelphia during June 28th -30th.  SALDEF Legal and Legislative Affairs Associate, Amrita Singh, spoke on a panel addressing how 10 years later, the South Asian community is still affected by 9/11.  The panel addressed NYPD surveillance of American Muslims, anti-Islamic FBI training materials, and the continuing incidences of hate crimes committed against South Asians today.The conference was attended by over 300 attorneys from around the country. SALDEF Conducts Law Enforcement Trainings in Connecticut On June 20th and 21st, SALDEF presented to local law enforcement agencies and staff and administration of the United States Attorney’s office in Seymour, Connecticut.  The audience also included representatives from the Department of Justice – Community Relations Services and U.S. Attorney David B. Fien.  The training, entitled Building Cultural Competency: Arab, Muslim and Sikh Americans, 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, which was co-produced with the Department of Justice. The session was interactive, and spurred an informative question-answer session dialogue following the presentation. SALDEF would like to thank SALDEF Regional Director Jaswant Chani, Amarjit Singh, and Capt. Raman Jit Singh for their leadership in executing these trainings If you are interested in SALDEF providing training for your local law enforcement, please contact us. SALDEF Speaks at Asian American Collegiate Conference On June 8th and 9th, SALDEF Executive Director, Jasjit Singh, and Legal and Legislative Affairs Associate, Amrita Singh, spoke to college students from around the country taking part in the Japanese American Citizen’s League’s (JACL) annual Collegiate Conference. On two separate occasions during the conference, Jasjit and Amrita addressed the students about challenges, such as employment discrimination, hate crimes, racial profiling and school bullying, that continue to face Sikh-Americans post 9/11. SALDEF and JACL are coalition partners working together to address important civil rights issues facing Sikh Americans and the broader Asian American community. Smithsonian Museums in Washington D.C. Allow Kirpans Earlier this month SALDEF was able to secure official notice that kirpans are now allowed inside Smithsonian museums.  SALDEF reached out to the Smithsonian after learning that many Sikh visitors have been asked to remove their kirpan before entering.  Smithsonian representatives stated that their new policy allows kirpans with blades of 2.5 inches or less in length. SALDEF appreciates the Smithsonian for instituting the policy and allowing Sikh Americans the opportunity to support the rich history it works to preserve and present.  If you have faced issues with accommodations around the Sikh articles of faith, please contact SALDEF. SALDEF Co-sponsors National Event Honoring Vincent Chin Last week,  SALDEF staff and Sikh American community members participated and attended Vincent Chin 30: Standing Up Then & Now, an event hosted by civil rights leaders and organizations, in honor of Asian-American hate crime victim Vincent Chin, whose unfortunate death sparked a new activism among Asian-Americans around the country.  The event highlighted accomplishments, and focused on the importance of collaborative and joint-community work around law and policy changes, education and awareness for the future of civil rights advocates around the country. New Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus Launched On June 28th, Representative Mike Honda (D-CA) launched the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus (CABC). The Caucus is comprised of more than 40 Members of Congress who are committed, in bi-partisan fashion, to the belief that all communities deserve a safe environment to thrive, and that our nation is in urgent need of solutions that stop bullying – both offline and online – now and forever. The launch of CABC was marked by a full-day of events focused on the impact of bullying in our nation and featured several panels containing experts and parents culminated with an evening screening off the film ‘Bully’. SikhLEAD Networking Luncheon On June 27th, SALDEF organized a Luncheon to connect professional Sikh Americans working in government with Sikh American summer interns in Washington, DC.  The program featured speakers from the White House, Capitol Hill, US Attorney’s Office, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and US AID.  The speakers provided career advice and guidance to the young Sikhs and encouraged them to consider positions in government.  SALDEF is thankful to Arent Fox LLP for hosting the event. SALDEF Participates in Capacity Building Training Program During the weekend of June 22nd – June 24th, SALDEF was privileged to participate in the South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) workshop entitled, “We Build Community.” This three day workshop brought together six community-based organizations from around the country and focused on issues related to racial justice, advocacy, and non-profit management.  Trainings such as these help to strengthen SALDEF and allow us to better serve the community. Career Fair in Washington D.C.! SALDEF is excited to partner with CAPAL on the 3rd Annual Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Career Fair on Friday, July 13th at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. This will be a unique opportunity to match students and professionals with top employers in the Washington, DC area. More information can be found on our website at www.capal.org/careerfair. This career fair will be free to the general public. A broad range of federal/local government agencies, non-profits, and private sector employers will be in attendance.  SALDEF encourages all interested parties to attend! Upcoming Events o    July 12 — MBTA Police Academy—Boston, MA o    July 13 – Asian American Career Fair in Washington, DC o    July 18 — ICE-ERO Cultural Awareness Training — Warwick, RI o    July 19 — ICE-ERO Cultural Awareness Training — Manchester, NH o    July 22 – Know Your Rights Forum – Fresno, CA o    July 23-24 — ICE-ERO Cultural — Burlington, MA o    July 29 – Know Your Rights Forum – West Sacramento, CA