Know Your Rights Program
Empowering Sikh Americans Through Education, Advocacy, and Access
Since 2002, SALDEF’s Know Your Rights (KYR) program has served as a vital platform to protect and empower the Sikh American community. In the post-9/11 era, Sikh Americans continue to face disproportionate levels of hate crimes, racial profiling, employment discrimination, and school bullying. Our KYR forums are designed to inform community members of their rights, provide access to key agencies, and build long-term relationships that foster safety, dignity, and opportunity.
What We Do
Through our KYR forums, SALDEF brings together local, state, and federal agencies with Sikh American communities across the country. Each forum is tailored to the unique needs of the local sangat (community) and typically includes:
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Short presentations by agency representatives
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Open Q&A sessions for community concerns
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Resources and support materials
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Job and recruitment information from government agencies
We encourage participating agencies to share rights-based information and career opportunities, fostering diversity and inclusion in public service.
Free Resources
Red Cards: Red Cards are wallet-sized tools designed to help individuals assert their constitutional rights during encounters with immigration or law enforcement officers. They contain clear, concise language that can be presented to officials to help protect yourself without speaking.
SALDEF offers FREE printable Red Cards in both English and Punjabi, ensuring accessibility for the Sikh American community. You can download and print them directly from our website—no need to pay or purchase elsewhere.
We recommend printing them on durable, brightly colored paper with rounded corners for easy visibility in a wallet or purse. Lamination is optional.
KYR Guide to Travel: Before you plan any travel abroad, please review our Sikh American Guide to Travel & Free Speech where we share our recommendations and provide answers to frequently answered questions.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a community member looking to learn more or a government agency interested in outreach, we welcome your participation.
📩 Contact us at info@saldef.org or call 202-393-2700 to host or join a Know Your Rights forum.