August 2012 Advocate

Wisconsin Shooting Causes Reflection and Reactions Across the Nation Following the shooting at the Oak Creek Gurdwara in Wisconsin on August 5th, and the loss of 6 innocent lives, the Sikh American community and the nation have come together to remember the victims of this national tragedy. Over 125 interfaith vigils have been held across the country, along with a National Day of Remembrance and Solidarity where faith communities across the country came together to remember the victims, and a nationally televised funeral services which was attended by sangat across the country and government dignitaries including Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and US Attorney General Eric Holder. SALDEF staff continues to be on the ground in WI to assist the local sangat in the aftermath of this terrible incident. To read more about the shootings in Wisconsin, and the community reaction, please visit: www.saldef.org/oakcreek. To support the victims, please consider making a donation to the victim’s fund by visiting: www.indiegogo.com/Milwaukee-Sikh DEADLINE EXTENDED: SikhLEAD Leadership Development Program Applications Due August 19th SALDEF has extended the deadline for applications for this year’s class of theSikhLEAD Leadership Development Program to Sunday, August 19th. The events of the past week have shown the increased need we have for advanced engagement and leadership by young Sikh American students and professionals, and we are further committed to our mission of making sure the next generation of Sikh Americans — our doctors, filmmakers, authors, businessmen and women, educators, and engineers — have the skills and training they need to represent and empower themselves and our community. This program is designed to inspire, train, and support a diverse, motivated, and entrepreneurial group of young Sikh leaders as they prepare for a lifetime of community engagement and leadership. If you are interested in both fulfilling your own and the community’s potential apply now. SALDEF Launches SikhVOTE: Voter Engagement Campaigns Across the Country SALDEF is excited to announce the launch of the SikhVOTE campaign, in advance of the coming November 2012 elections. In addition to holding the Presidential Town Hall in July, SALDEF will be hosting voter engagement campaigns throughout America over the coming months. With youth volunteers being trained in California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Virginia, SALDEF is hoping to reach as many parts of the Sikh American community demographic as possible. According to some projections, less than 30% of Sikh Americans are registered to vote, and ensuring that our voice as a community is heard on local, state and federal levels is a priority.  SikhLEAD alumni will be leading local efforts in various parts of the community to ensure that Sikh Americans have access and understanding of the voter and election processes, registering individuals to vote, and creating forums to emphasize civic engagement. If you are interested in volunteering to participate in our 10-week campaign geared at voter engagement in the Sikh community near you, please contact info@saldef.org. Sacramento, CA Holds Successful Know Your Rights Forum On July 29th, a Know Your Rights Forumwas successfully hosted in West Sacramento, CA for the greater Sacramento area Sikh sangat.  Over 50 members of the local sangat participated in the forum, discussing issues of workplace discrimination, school bullying, hate crimes, and public accommodations. Representatives from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) andWashington Unified School District were invited to speak.  EEOC representatives spoke to the sangat about how to file the proper complaints regarding workplace discrimination issues. A special note of appreciation to Amar Shergill, Harjit Grewal, and the Gurdwara committee ofSikh Temple West Sacramento for support and assistance with this event. If you are interested in having a Know Your Rights forum in your area, please contact SALDEF’s Birpal Kaur via info@saldef.org. SALDEF Trains Law Enforcement Officers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island Throughout the month of July, SALDEF Regional Director Jaswant Singh Chani conducted a series of cultural awareness trainings for members of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Enforcement and Removal Operations force with the Boston Transit Police Academy in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Roughly 200 officers attended one of the six sessions, and were informed about the Sikh faith, educated on religious and cultural practices, and given advice on how best to interact with Sikh American community members. SALDEF discussed the challenges that the Sikh American community faces, particularly in areas relating to employment discrimination, hate crimes, and other forms of public accommodation. APIA Presidential Town Hall: Continued Progress for Community’s Civic Engagement The Asian Pacific Islander American community participated in a Presidential Town Hall held at George Mason University on July 21, 2012. Hundreds of Sikhs across the country logged in to the internet and watched the event, organized by APIAVote and SALDEF, from viewing parties around the nation, in Gurdwaras and their homes. Sangat members in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland and Texas, gathered to take part in this historic event, addressing community concerns and realizing the importance of Asian Americans as an integral voting demographic in this upcoming election. Historically Sikh Americans have been largely underrepresented in the voting process. The Town Hall was a first step to being to increase the level of engagement for Sikhs around the country, in the nation’s politics and to vote. SALDEF will continue to work on voter engagement throughout the national Sikh American community through the November 2012 elections.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us. Call for Fall 2012 SALDEF Internship Opportunities The SALDEF Internship Program offers Sikh American youth rare opportunities for political advocacy and leadership development. The program educates students on issues of civil rights, public policy, and the legislative process. Students will gain practical experience in community organizing, research and writing, legal issues, political action, and educational outreach. SALDEF is looking for interns in the Washington D.C. and Los Angeles offices. Students exhibiting strong writing/communication skills, strong work ethic, and computer skills are highly encourage to apply; all majors welcome. Applications for Fall Semester will be accepted on a rolling basis, however early applications will receive preference. Applications should be mailed to internship@saldef.org SALDEF Summer 2012 Interns Wrap up Time in Washington, DC SALDEF interns have participated in a series of networking and leadership development opportunities throughout the summer.  Highlights included a networking lunch with Sikh American professionals from government, leadership development sessions, career fair and various social activities.  Two special events during the summer included the AAPI Youth Leadership Summit and the dinner with Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta. The APIA Youth Leadership Summit served as a call for youth activism, focusing on issues of AAPI representation at the highest levels of the federal government. Other issues addressed were AAPI voter engagement, and ways the current administration can better engage youth on relevant issues. It was also an outlet for AAPI youth to voice their opinions on various matters relevant to the younger generation. The dinner with Secretary Mineta was hosted by SALDEF, along with our partners at the JACL, OCA and the Washington Leadership Program, and provided SikhLEAD interns an opportunity of a lifetime to meet a decorated Congressman and public servant who served as Secretary of Commerce under President Clinton and  secretary of transportation under President Bush. He focused on the topic of leadership and what it takes to be successful in public service: accessibility and accountability. This was followed by a moving discussion of his role in as secretary of transportation during 9/11. SALDEF is proud and honored to have an exciting and intelligent group of young Sikh Americans involved in the political process in Washington D.C. For more information on the SikhLEAD internship program, please click here. SALDEF Presents to Interfaith Youth Leadership Initiative in Los Angeles SALDEF participated in the Interfaith Youth Leadership Initiative in Los Angeles, and presented information about Sikhism to the 80 students were in attendance as high school interfaith leaders from various religious backgrounds and communities. The 3-day program provided an insightful perspective on how different faiths fundamentally frame one’s outlook on daily life, with issues ranging from basic theology to addressing misconceptions on religion. Stop Bullying Video Challenge — $2,000 Grand Prize Available for Best Video!

Sikh Kid Being Bullied

On behalf of the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention, SALDEF encourages Sikh American youth to submit original PSAs, 30 to 60 seconds in length, that showcase ways they are taking action against bullying and promoting a culture of kindness and respect in their communities.  Competitive videos will be informative and entertaining, sending a positive message to youth about the importance of being “more than a bystander” to bullying in your schools and community. Deadline for submissions is October 14th 11pm EST, with youth ages 13-18 eligible to participate with parent/guardian permission.  The contest winner will receive a grand prize of $2,000, with the two runner-ups earning $500 each.  To apply, and for more information, visitstopbullying.challenge.gov Upcoming Events