SALDEF Continues Vital Training Seminars for EEOC Offices in NJ and NY
On April 4th SALDEF conducted a series of diversity trainings for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Over 150 members of the EEOC offices in New York City and Newark, NJ attended the training, including attorneys, investigators, mediators, and staff, and were informed about the Sikh faith and religious practices and issues that Sikh Americans commonly face in the workplan. These presentations followed the successful trainings done in Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore,MD and Los Angeles, CA earlier this year. Based on the positive feedback of the presentations, SALDEF has engaged with several additional EEOC district offices to conduct similar trainings for their staff. SALDEF believes that through these trainings, employment discrimination cases against Sikh Americans will be more effectively and efficiently handled.
To report incidents of discrimination in the workplace, please contact us.
SALDEF Discusses Impacts of Sikh Americans within Pan-Asian Heritage
On April 12th Manjit Singh, SALDEF Chairman and co-founder, discussed the evolution of Asian Americans in politics over the past two decades in panel at the national conference of the Association for Asian American Studies (AAAS), the largest conference of academics who study the Asian American experience. He spoke about how institutions based in the Nation”s Capital can elevate the voice of the community and leverage relationships with influencers in government to pursue change. He also spoke about the need to establish long-term capacity and develop the next generation of leaders through programs like SikhLEAD. The panel was sponsored by National Council Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), and AAAS, and was moderated by Priya Murthy of SAALT and Navdeep Singh of SALDEF.
SALDEF Engages in End Racial Profiling Act (ERPA) Advocacy
On April 17th the Senate Judiciary Committee held its first hearing on the issue of racial profiling since September 11th. SALDEF attended the hearing and was one of more than 200 organizations that submitted testimony in support of the bill. Read SALDEF’s testimony here. If passed, ERPA will require federal law enforcement agencies to provide training on racial profiling issues, have procedures for investigating and responding to complaints of racial profiling and cease existing practices that permit racial profiling, as well as support law enforcement initiatives that do not result in profiling, create privacy protections for individuals whose data is collected, and allow an individual who was racially profiled the right to file lawsuits to seek redress.
Continuing our efforts, on April 18th, SALDEF participated in an ERPA Advocacy Day organized by coalition partner, the Rights Working Group. Advocacy groups and individual citizens came together to visit more than 65 Congressional offices, sharing their individual experiences with racial profiling and urging members to support the bill. Following these efforts, an additional senator and 12 representatives went on to co-sponsor the ERPA.
TAKE ACTION: Urge your Senator and Representative to support ERPA today!
SALDEF Discusses Workplace Discrimination Issues via Department of Labor Conference in Southern California
On April 12th SALDEF”s Western Regional Director, Bhupinder Kaur, spoke on a panel at a conference hosted by the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract and Compliance Programs. The panel focused on how community organizations assist with improving the gap between the national unemployment percentages with the lower rates of unemployment amongst minorities through influence via education, awareness, and advocacy directly to employers in the private and public sectors. Panelists discussed issues and obstacles facing minorities and women in various workplace environments, including non-traditional job placement programs.
Panelists included the Department of Justice Community Relations Service, the Workforce Investment Board, and community advocacy organizations representing women and low-income families. The panel also addressed the fact that many of these issues faced by potential or current employees can be influenced positively via human resource departments and their practices. This allowed for dialogue around cultural diversity awareness to be provided directly to the HR departments in public and private sector companies, expressing the need for community advocacy groups to provide this information.
If you are interested in having SALDEF host cultural diversity trainings for your workplace, please contact us.
SALDEF Provides Law Enforcement Training in Lexington, KY
On April 18th SALDEF Regional Director, Navtej Singh Khalsa presented at the Law Enforcement Training Conference in Lexington, KY to 100 representatives from various law enforcement backgrounds, including the US Attorney”s Office, TSA, DOJ, FBI, University of Kentucky Police Department, and representatives from the local community. The training, entitled Building Cultural Competency: Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Americans, provided information on the Sikh faith and theology, as well as the challenges Sikh Americans face. The presentation included a viewing of SALDEF’s training video On Common Ground, which was co-produced with the Department of Justice. The session was interactive, and also fostered informative question-answer session dialogue around common misconceptions.
If you are interested in SALDEF providing training for your local law enforcement via LEPP, please contact us.
Sikh Families Attend White House Easter Egg Roll
On April 25th President Obama and the First Family hosted 30,000 people in their backyard for the 134th White House Easter Egg Roll. This year’s theme “Let’s go, Let’s Play, Let’s Move!” focused on promoting health, wellness, and physical activity. The White House specifically gave SALDEF 25 tickets to provide to Sikh American families. This is the third year the Obama administration has given SALDEF tickets to ensure Sikh Americans are represented at this festive event.
SALDEF Voices Concern About Anti-Asian Remarks by DC Council Member
SALDEF joined 27 other DC-based Asian American advocacy groups, urging DC Councilmember Marion Barry to apologize for his insensitive comments regarding Filipino nurses and to honor his commitment to meet with local Asian American leaders. A campaign entitled “Say Sorry Barry” has been launched to promote the cause. SALDEF continues to stand up for the rights of all Asian Americans and urges Barry to apologize and meet with Asian American leaders. Click here to read more about the campaign.
SALDEF Joins Advocacy Coalition in Calling on LAPD to Reform SARs Program
On April 26th SALDEF and other community advocacy groups in Los Angeles, CA met with the to receive a briefing addressing deep concerns about its and Special Order 1; which instructs officers where to direct information about criminal and non-criminal activities they believe may be relevant to counterterrorism investigations. By not requiring the presence of circumstances and facts which indicate a crime is being committed, the current Special Order 1 is not in full compliance with federal privacy and civil liberties protections that regulate information collected into a SAR. To read more regarding the specific issues around Special Order 1, click here to read the joint letter to the LAPD. SALDEF was joined by organizations in the coalition such as ACLU-Southern California, MPAC, CAIR, CHIRLA, and local groups concerned with law enforcement intelligence gathering standards.
Apply Now– The Association of Sikh Professional Offering Scholarships
The Association of Sikh Professionals is offering a scholarship to college going students, ranging anywhere from $400 to $4000 per year. Awards are in the form of scholarships, grants through endowments, and interest-free loans for which repayment is expected after graduation. Financial need is taken into consideration, as well as academic ability and involvement in Sikh activities. All applicants must be attending or should have been admitted to an accredited course of study. Applications must go through the application form available here. Deadline for new applicants is June 1, 2012 and June 28, 2012 for re-applicants. Results will be announced by early September. SALDEF encourages interested parties to apply.
Upcoming Events:
- May 13 — Know Your Rights Forum — Seattle, WA
- May 25-28th — SikhLEAD Leadership Development Program Retreat — Los Angeles, CA
- May 31 – High School Interfaith Panel – Laguna Hills, CA
- June 23 – National Townhall on Hate Crimes and Bullying
- June 29 – Panel on Effects of 9/11 after 10 years at National South Asian Bar Association Annual Convention – Philadelphia, PA
- July 22 — Know Your Rights Forum —Fresno, CA