I was very fortunate to be able to attend and participate in this year’s US Social Forum Conference hosted in Detroit, MI. SALDEF was invited as one of the participating organizations for a panel titled “The 9/11 Movement: Intersections and Movement Building Strategies.” The panel also included Adhikaar, DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving), Sikh Coalition, and SAALT (South Asian Americans Leading Together) and focused on the post 9/11 climate and the intersection of perception and outcomes for minority communities. Being in an environment where there were over 10,000 activists was a refreshing change of atmosphere. Imagine walking into a building where thousands of people have gathered with one mission: to promote a national agenda of inclusive change. The USSF provides an opportunity for activists working on a range of social justice issues to network and find ways to collaborate. It was a unique experience to be sitting in a room with so many progressive South Asian voices, discussing issues that have been plaguing our individual communities in the post-9/11 era. Inclusiveness was the name of the game for this panel, as we spent time identifying the backlash felt in terms of physical hate crimes, as well as the mental and social abuses that have increased dramatically since the attacks. One of the key discussion points SALDEF highlighted was the unfair media coverage Sikhs faced in the days after 9/11. On the one hand, the simple case of misidentification of Sher Singh in Rhode Island as a terrorist made immediate news on outlets across the country – images of an innocent Sikh being taken off a train in handcuffs because he ‘looked suspicious’. On the other hand, Balbir Singh Sodhi’s tragic murder, the first post 9/11 hate-crime, did not gain the national coverage it warranted. These instances underscore the Media’s attitudes and lack of journalistic responsibility in the days after the attacks. In addition to speaking about imbalances in the media, we had the opportunity to talk about SALDEF’s continued strategies to address racial and religious profiling via the Law Enforcement Partnership Program (LEPP). We concluded the panel by discussing the need to create a “Pan-Asian” voice on hate crimes and discrimination. Essentially, we cannot just look at the affect of 9/11 separately, but also show how it escalated and built upon many existing tensions of racial equality with minority communities and the sociopolitical contexts of these problems.
US Social Forum
On April 14th, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) was invited to speak at the prestigious City Club in Cleveland, the oldest continuous free speech forum in the country, lauded for its tradition of debate and discussion. Past speakers at the club have included 6 former US Presidents, distinguished authors and artists, and other renowned speakers. The sold out event was broadcast on hundreds of radio outlets across 40 states. The Panel discussion featured Dr. I.J. Singh, author of four books about Sikhs in the US and Canada, Paramjit Singh, City Club Special Program member, and Jasjit Singh, Associate Executive Director of SALDEF. The title of the talk was “SIKH AMERICANS: Towards a More Perfect Union“. Dr. I.J Singh began the talk by discussing how Sikh Americans add to the diversity of America. Dr. Singh suggested that instead of thinking of America as a ‘Melting Pot’ or ‘Tossed Salad’ we consider the metaphor of an Orchestra. “All the small chimes and bells add to the beauty and need to be protected,” said Dr. Singh. “Notice that the lowly cymbals or the triangle, too, have a place. When they speak, even the naturally dominant violins and pianos listen. When the mighty and the small talk to each other without drowning the other, the conversation becomes heavenly music. That’s how a rich performance is born.”
Paramjit Singh, Jasjit Singh, and Dr. I.J. Singh at the City Club of Cleveland
Shawn D. Lewis / The Detroit News
Troy — Metro Detroit Sikhs say they have cause for concern today as they, too, reflect on the tragedy of 9/11. Sikhs, who wear turbans as part of their religion, say they are frequently assumed to be Muslims, Arabs or religious extremists. Some Sikhs say since September 11, they have experienced more negative comments and discrimination. In Michigan, the number the of Sikhs ranges from 5,000 to 7,000. About 50,000 Sikhs are in the United States, and the 20 million worldwide comprise the fifth largest religion. Juan Cole, University of Michigan professor of modern history, said it will take years before things improve for Sikhs and others painted with the broad stroke of terrorism.
“Things have actually gotten worse since 9/11,” he said. “The increasingly negative attitude toward Muslims has a deeply negative effect on Sikhs because the general American public does not seem able to make a distinction. We have a new struggle to wage against this kind of prejudice against Muslims and Sikhs.”
“We are human beings on a path of spirituality, and please don’t start attacking us because you think we’re the people who bombed the World Trade Center,” said Sarab Neelam, 48, a suburban dad of three, and a Sterling Heights gastroenterologist. His semi-autobiographical film, “Ocean of Pearls,” about a Sikh physician in Detroit, is playing at the Maple Art Theater in Bloomfield Hills. “We all went through a great tragedy after 9/11, but we should not create another tragedy by harming innocent Americans here.” That sentiment is echoed by the largest and oldest Sikh civil rights organization in the United Sates. “Many of us feel we’re viewed with apprehension and mistrust, which stems from the animus and bias toward Arabs and Muslims because many people are unable to distinguish among religious groups,” said Rajdeep Jolly, 28, a lawyer and director of law and policy for the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund in Washington, D.C. “The problem, fundamentally, is ignorance, fear and lack of nuance.” Jolly, born and raised in the U.S., said he has endured taunts of people calling him “terrorist” and “Osama bin Laden” while walking the streets of the nation’s capital. Shortly following the September 11 attacks, former Louisiana Republican Congressman John Cooksey expressed his feelings about those who wear turbans. “If I see someone (who) comes in that’s got a diaper on his head and a fan belt wrapped around the diaper on his head, that guy needs to be pulled over.” He publicly apologized and lost re-election. College student Deep Singh, 22, of Livonia, said he felt bad when he was pulled over by a Livonia police officer last summer. He said he was driving home from work as a pharmacy technician when he was stopped. “Do you have any weapons in your car?” was the first question asked by the officer. Singh said he was not ticketed and the officer courteously told him to drive safely. The Livonia Police Department was not able to verify the incident since no ticket was issued. Although Raminder Singh Dhaddli, 59, of Troy also has endured stares and taunts, he prefers to focus on feelings shared by Americans on this day. “This was a great American tragedy, and everybody is united in this fight against terrorism,” said Dhaddli, an internist at the Veteran’s Administration in Detroit. Days after the attacks, Dhaddli felt compelled to hand out leaflets in his subdivision explaining who Sikhs are. He didn’t want neighbors thinking he was in solidarity with the terrorists. For Heminder Singh, 49, of West Bloomfield, not much has changed since 9/11. The psychiatrist had an experience with a patient who resorted to ethnic intimidation during an office visit. “He started yelling at me, ‘You diaper-headed Arab. Go back to your own country,'” he said. “They see you as Arab or Muslim, and it’s a very common perception. There’s nothing wrong with being Muslim, but that’s not my religion.” Neelam said he hopes one day that doing simple, everyday things will not elicit the usual stares. “The other day I went to the park with my family and once again, people were staring at us like, ‘What are you doing here?’ ” he said. “It may not happen for another 50 years, but I’m hopeful that it will happen.” slewis@detnews.com (734) 462-2190 http://www.detnews.com/article/20090911/METRO02/909110344/1041/lifestyle04/Post-9/11-discrimination-plagues-Detroit-area-Sikhs
SMART Encourages Passage of Pending Federal ‘Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA)’ Washington, DC – The New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) yesterday re-instated a Sikh American subway operator after re-assigning him last week for violating its “no hats” policy by wearing his religiously mandated turban. Sathari Singh contacted the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights organization, last week and worked with its legal advisor and union representative to resolve the issue. “Millions of people have seen me with my turban for over 20 years on the train,” said Singh, whose legal name is still Kevin Harrington. “I am so thankful to the union for standing by me and to SMART for defending my civil rights. This is a good start, but we have a long way to go.” The MTA policy currently permits only a regulation MTA cap for headgear, and although Singh had worn a turban since being hired as cleaner 23 years, he was re-assigned to moving trains at the yard last week. Singh said that several top transit officials have seen him with his turban while on the job and that he was featured in an MTA newsletter while safely evacuating hundreds of riders on 9/11. An MTA spokesperson also said the agency is considering revising the dress code to accommodate workers wear religiously-mandated head-coverings. “While working on this case, we learned that the MTA made exceptions for baseball caps during the World Series between the Yankees and the Mets in 2000 and for some other religious head-coverings,” stated Manjit Singh, SMART’s President. “In order to prevent selective enforcement of these policies around the country, we strongly urge Congress to pass the Workplace Religious Freedom Act ensuring that people of all faiths are treated fairly in the American workplace.” Sikh Americans have faced similar problems in New York City like Jasjit Singh Jaggi, who was fired from his position as an NYPD traffic enforcement agent for his long beard and turban. An administrative judge recently ruled in his favor. Furthermore, Amric Singh Rathour was dismissed from his job as a NYPD traffic enforcement officer in August 2001 after graduating from the Police Academy. Rathour refused to shave his beard and stop wearing his religiously-mandated turban. His case is currently pending.
Jury Rejects Insanity Plea in Arizona case Mesa, AZ — A jury yesterday found Frank Roque guilty of first-degree murder for his slaying of Balbir Singh Sodhi. Roque murdered Sodhi during a rampage four days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which included shootings at those who were, or appeared to be Middle Eastern. Mr. Singh, a 49-year-old immigrant from India, wore a turban and beard in accordance with his Sikh faith when he was shot outside his gas station. Manjit Singh, President of the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights organization, said, “The Sodhi family has endured a great deal for the last two years following Balbir’s death. This honest, hard-working man was killed simply because of the way he looked. We hope this conviction will shed light on the persisting problem of hate crimes which are rooted in ignorance and intimidate entire communities.” Although Roque’s defense attorneys mounted an insanity defense, jurors apparently were swayed by the prosecution’s evidence that Roque’s attack was motivated by hatred and bias. The jury also found Roque guilty of five other charges, including attempted murder and reckless endangerment, related to drive-by shootings at other individuals he perceived to be Middle Eastern. The case will enter a second phase of the trial on Thursday, with jurors determining whether Roque is eligible for the death penalty. Singh stated that his organization has noticed an increase in hate crimes since the war in Iraq. Furthermore, he said that SMART recently conducted a briefing on Capitol Hill highlighting post-9/11 backlash incidents directed at Sikhs and other South Asians, and is supporting federal legislation to provide law enforcement agencies more resources to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. “Hate violence can tear communities apart,” Singh said. “Sikh Americans have long endured discrimination, and although legislation cannot expunge hate from our society, our lawmakers must send a clear message that these insidious acts of violence are inconsistent with America’s promise of freedom and tolerance.”
Washington, DC — Following reports that Daniel Pipes may be seated as a Director of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) by a Presidential Recess Appointment, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American civil rights organization, expressed concern about the process sidestepping congressional confirmation. According to recent news reports, Pipes, who never appeared before the U.S. Senate for approval, will be appointed as a director of the USIP during Congress’ August recess. A vote on his nomination was indefinitely postponed by the Senate’s Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee last month. Manjit Singh, Chair of SMART’s Board of Directors, stated, “We believe subjecting our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters to increased, government-sanctioned scrutiny as per Dr. Pipes’ sentiments will send the potentially damaging message that it is okay to discriminate based solely on real or perceived religious affiliation.” Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Pipes advocated widespread religious profiling targeting Arab and Muslim Americans. In a statement in the Ontario, Canada London Free Press, Pipes was quoted as saying, “I worry very much from the Jewish point of view that the presence and increased stature, and affluence, and enfranchisement of American Muslims will present true dangers.” The USIP cannot positively gain from such intolerant viewpoints. SMART also participated in a briefing for Senate staff preceding the HELP Committee’s hearing. During that briefing, SMART stated, “[D]espite his academic qualifications, we are also concerned with Mr. Pipes’ founding of groups such as Campus Watch and Campus Truth. As a civil rights organization, we hold the First Amendment in the highest regard and would vehemently defend Mr. Pipes’ right to articulate his views. However, he has worked to ‘out’ academics who disagree with his views on Middle East politics. These actions have resulted in initiatives that have attempted to hinder free thought and discussion at universities across the country. We believe a nominee to the USIP—which recently undertook a special initiative in the Muslim world to create a bridge between cultures—should more adequately demonstrate such values.”
SMART Encourages Sikh Community to Attend Public Forum Washington, DC — On Wednesday, June 4th, a day before the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to conduct an oversight hearing on the USA PATRIOT Act, SMART will join a diverse coalition of organizations at a public forum to examine the growing trend of law enforcement to selectively target certain immigrant communities under the guise of national security. SMART encourages the Sikh community, particularly those targeted unjustly by law enforcement since 9/11, to attend the hearing at the Senate tomorrow. The forum entitled: Justice For All: Selective Enforcement in Post-911 America, will examine the post-9/11 impact on the lives of those in the Arab, Muslim, East African, Sikh and Latino communities. A panel will include representatives from national organizations, individuals from the affected communities, along with members of Congress, including Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Patty Murray (D-WA). The forum is endorsed by over 100 national and local organizations including SMART. The details for the event are as follows: WHAT: A nationwide public forum on selective enforcement post-9/11 WHO: Community Members, Civil Rights Advocates, Senators WHEN: June 4, 2003, 10 AM – 12 PM WHERE: 902 Hart Senate Building, Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC – FBI Director Robert Mueller met with leaders of national Sikh, Arab and Muslim organizations on Friday, Feb. 28 to discuss the rise in hate crimes and racial profiling of these communities in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The meeting was the latest in a series of meetings organized by the FBI with leaders of organizations who have been responding to post-September 11 bias incidents.
The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), the oldest national Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, addressed the possible increase in hate crimes in the next few months due to the looming war with Iraq and the need for the Bureau to aggressively investigate all reported bias incidents.
“Protecting the civil rights of all Americans remains a top priority for the FBI,” said Mueller. “I”m vitally concerned that the rights of Muslim, Sikh and Arab Americans be protected. The FBI stands prepared to take strong and immediate action against hate crimes in the event of any anti-Arab American backlash to world events.”
The FBI said its response to hate crimes has sent a clear message that hate crimes will not be tolerated. To date, the FBI reportedly has initiated 414 hate crime investigations involving Muslim, Sikh, and Arab-American victims, with 17 persons being charged federally thus far. Additionally, some 129 persons have been charged with state and local crimes in connection with these investigations.
The director also stressed the importance of strengthening relationships and improving cultural sensitivity. “We can”t do it without you,” Director Mueller said.
SMART encouraged the FBI to conduct religious and cultural awareness workshops at its training academy and at field offices across the country. Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks SMART has conducted such trainings for numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. SMART also asked the FBI director to establish a relationship with the Sikh community to ensure that hate crimes are accurately reported nationwide.
Others attending the meeting were representatives of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Arab American Institute, the Islamic Institute, the American Muslim Council, and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.
Germantown, MD – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, a national Sikh American civil rights advocacy group, urges all New Jersey Sikhs to attend town hall meetings regarding terrorist attacks organized by Senator Robert G. Torricelli and Senator Jon S. Corzine. The meetings are scheduled for Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23 to help New Jersey residents begin the healing process and look to the future in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks. They will be contributing to the discussions and answering questions about recent events in Washington, D.C. The meetings will be held at the following locations and times: Saturday, September 22 10:00 am West Orange High School 51 Conforti Avenue West Orange 2:00 pm Monmouth Regional High School One Norman J. Field Way Tinton Falls Sunday, September 23 12:00 pm Hackensack High School First and Beech Streets Hackensack 2:00 pm Memorial Service, (same location as above)
Germantown, MD – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American civil rights advocacy group, rallied with South Asian, Muslim and Arab Americans near the capitol at the Japanese War Memorial yesterday, calling for Americans to stop victimizing minorities who resemble the terrorists who committed the vicious assaults on America. Tejpal Singh Chawla, the SMART speaker at the event, briefly recounted the violent attacks against Sikh Americans since Tuesday’s attacks. “A turban does not signify a terrorist,” Chawla said during his remarks alongside speaks from the Arab American Institute and the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans. Many of the speakers remarked on the double attack that is affecting Sikh, Muslim, Arab and South Asian Americans, first being attacked by outside terrorists as Americans, and then being attacked from within by ignorant Americans. Speakers also commented that many people are currently afraid to speak their native languages in public, wear traditional clothing, or even leave their homes in fear of assaults or harassment. On the same day as the event, a young Sikh man from Maryland was shot at after from a passing car on the highway.There have been approximately upwards of 200 hate crimes against Sikhs reported in the United States. SMART Executive Director, Manjit Singh, commented after the press conference yesterday, “We hope that this new positive media attention will begin to lessen the violent attacks against our community, so that we can begin to focus all of our efforts on helping our country after this tragedy.