SALDEF and Sikh community representatives discuss increased partnership Washington D.C., November 8, 2006 – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights organization, along with representatives from five Washington DC-metro area Gurdwaras (Sikh congregational place of worship) met with Joseph Persichini, Director of the FBI’s Washington Field Office (FBI-WFO), and members of his staff to discuss issues of relevance to the local Sikh American community. Some of the issues discussed at the meeting included:
- The FBI’s efforts to investigate hate crimes against the Sikh American community.
- Increasing outreach by the FBI to recruit from the Sikh American community
- Incorporating Sikh American cultural competency and protocol trainings for the newly hired FBI agents.
- Discussing ways that Sikh American youth can participate in the FBI’s internship program.
- During the meeting Mr. Persichini committed to increasing outreach to the Sikh American community by increasing recruiting efforts and reiterated his office’s commitment to investigate hate crimes diligently.
“The meeting with the WFO was very productive and is a much needed first step to greater partnership between the FBI-WFO and the Washington, DC-area Sikh American community,” said SALDEF President Mirin Kaur Phool. “Our local community members must increase their outreach to local civic and law enforcement officials to build trust and develop working relationships.” SALDEF thanks Mr. Persichini and his staff for meeting with the members of Sikh American community and their encouraging positive response. SALDEF is also thankful for the participation of the representatives from the Sikh Foundation of Virginia (SFV), National Gurdwara, Guru Nanak Foundation of America (GNFA), Singh Sabha Gurdwara, and the Raj Khalsa Gurdwara.