Sikhs Object to Offensive Movie Title

SALDEF expresses concern to Warner Bros about racist movie title Towelhead; receives commitment to increase Sikh presence in Hollywood Washington, DC—September 22, 2008: The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, participated in a dialogue sponsored by Warner Brothers on September 9, 2008 in connection with Towelhead, a controversial film directed by Alan Ball and based on a novel by author Alicia Erian. The dialogue, which was taped and made available on the website of Warner Independent Pictures, featured Alan Ball, Alicia Erian, and Rajdeep Singh Jolly, Legal Director of SALDEF. While Ball and Erian defended the film title as an effort to draw attention to racism, SALDEF observed that Sikh Americans are often slurred as “towelheads” and expressed concern that the film title is a marketing ploy. “Calling a movie Towelhead is like calling a movie Nigger,” said Rajbir Singh Datta, National Director of SALDEF. “Warner Brothers clearly had no misgivings about using ‘towelhead’ as a movie title, but nobody has addressed whether they would use the word ‘nigger’ as a movie title. If they do, that would reflect poor judgment. If not, why the double standard?” During the dialogue, Mr. Jolly suggested that a more principled and proactive way for the film industry to combat racism would be to project the voices and perspectives of Sikh artists and other minority groups. Ball was receptive to this idea and expressed a willingness to work with the Sikh American community to achieve more parity in the film industry. “Exploiting the shock value of a racial slur for marketing purposes is crass and offensive,” said Kavneet Singh, Managing Director of SALDEF. “As noted in this dialogue, there are better ways to create mutual respect and understanding in American society, and we look forward to working with the film industry in pursuit of these goals.” SALDEF will continue to work with Warner Bros and other Hollywood studios to ensure that Sikhs are represented well in American pop culture. For more information on our activities in Hollywood, please contact SALDEF at mediarelations@saldef.org;

  1. SALDEF Announces Hiring of New Legal Director
  2. Homeland Security Institute request’s SALDEF participation with Security and Technology Panel
  3. Fall 2008 Internship Program: Don’t Miss This Opportunity!
  4. SALDEF Trains New Police Recruits in Maryland
  5. SALDEF Conducts Bullying Presentation at New Jersey Sikh Camp
  6. SALDEF Collaborates with Congressman David Wu on National Solutions to Bullying and Harassment Concerns
  7. SALDEF Attends FBI Centennial
  8. SALDEF Briefs OSCE Representative on Racism in the United States
  9. Legal Updates
  10. Upcoming Events

SALDEF Announces Hiring of New Legal Director Earlier this summer, SALDEF hired a new Legal Director to oversee SALDEF’s legal, policy, and research activities. Mr. Rajdeep Singh Jolly Esq, a former SALDEF Volunteer Attorney, was Associate Counsel for a small commercial bank in Miami, Florida.  During this period, he also served as a volunteer attorney for SALDEF’s office of Legal Affairs and provided pro-bono assistance to a national advocacy group for abused and neglected children.   Mr. Jolly is the author of The Application of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to Appearance Regulations that Presumptively Prohibit Observant Sikh Lawyers from Joining the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps, which was published by the Chapman Law Review, and has also represented SALDEF in a range of media outlets.   Mr. Jolly graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami, where he received an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, and holds a law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in Virginia.  He is a member of The Florida Bar. Homeland Security Institute Request’s SALDEF participation with Security and Technology Panel On August 27, 2008 SALDEF representatives were invited to participate in a panel discussion to provide insight into the community perceptions of security technology. The technology being reviewed included fingerprint scans, iris scans, facial recognition software, and many others.   ‘We welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on products that will affect the community”, said SALDEF National Director Rajbir Singh Datta. “Where appropriate, all levels of the Federal Government should proactively seek out public opinion on a range of issues that affect the public.” SALDEF Fall 2008 Internship Program: Don’t miss this opportunity 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 hands-on experience in community organizing, research, writing, legal issues affecting the community, political action, and education outreach.   Applications are still being accepted! Current opportunities available include: Legal, Legislative, Communications and Development Fellows. Click here to email. SALDEF Train’s New Recruits in Maryland On July 16, 2008 SALDEF conducted a Sikh American Awareness Training for 40 new police recruits in Howard County Maryland. This training program was a unique time for SALDEF’s education program to affect the Sikh American community Maryland-wide.    The purpose of the law enforcement trainings is to provide information on how to appropriately interact with Sikhs and how to deal with Sikh articles of faith and cultural barriers which may exist. SALDEF Conducts Bullying Presentation at New Jersey Sikh Camp SALDEF Eastern Regional Director Savraj Singh presented SALDEF’s bullying awareness presentation to roughly 60 Sikh children at the 3rd Annual Sikh Sabha Gurdwara Youth Camp.    The two 45-minute, interactive session engaged campers and encouraged them to remain confident in themselves while reaching out to parents and teachers for help.  By understanding past incidents of school harassment, the children learned to recognize bullying, understood its origins, and identified appropriate action to take when bullying occurs. SALDEF Collaborates with Congressman David Wu on National Solutions to Bullying and Harassment Concerns As the only Sikh member of the National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), a compilation of National organizations, SALDEF met with Congressman David Wu to discuss education priorities that effect the Sikh American community. Of the concerns mentioned by coalition partnered included, limited English proficiency (LEP), parental involvement, and No Child Left Behind (NCLB). SALDEF focused on bullying and harassment of students and it’s effect on the future academic success.   SALDEF is a strong supporter of the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2007 (HR. 3132). SALDEF Attends FBI Centennial On July 17, 2008 SALDEF was invited to attend the FBI Centennial event that was held in Washington DC. SALDEF works very closely with the FBI and frequently meets with the leadership including Director Robert Mueller to discuss issues of grave concern to the Sikh American community.   SALDEF has able to hear from United States Attorney General Michael Mukasey, FBI Deputy Director John Pistol, as well as three other past FBI Directors. SALDEF Briefs OSCE Representative on Racism in the United States On July 15, 2008 SALDEF met with the Anastasia Crickley, Personal Representative of the Chair in Office of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination.   Of the numerous issues affecting Sikhs in the United States, SALDEF discussed the inability of Sikhs to service in the Armed Services, the dramatic increase in employment discrimination, school harassment, and hate crimes.   The information the Ms. Crickley has received will be compiled in a document which is expected to be released within the next year. Legal Updates Since January, SALDEF has received 126 requests for legal assistance of which SALDEF has accepted 81 to assist. These cases involve broad issues from immigration and naturalization, DMV concerns, violations involving the right wear a kirpan, public accommodation concern, free exercise within prisons, and many others.   We need your support to ensure all members of the Sikh community receive the support they need when our faith is under attack.  Support SALDEF’s efforts in protecting and advocating for the Sikh American community.

  • SALDEF Announces Hiring of New Legal Director
  • Homeland Security Institute request”s SALDEF participation with Security and Technology Panel
  • Fall 2008 Internship Program: Don”t Miss This Opportunity!
  • SALDEF Trains New Police Recruits in Maryland
  • SALDEF Conducts Bullying Presentation at New Jersey Sikh Camp
  • SALDEF collaborates with Congressman David Wu on National Solutions to Bullying and Harassment Concerns
  • SALDEF Attends FBI Centennial
  • SALDEF Briefs OSCE Representative on Racism in the United States
  • Legal Updates
  • Upcoming Events

SALDEF Announces Hiring of New Legal Director
Earlier this summer, SALDEF hired a new Legal Director to oversee SALDEF’s legal, policy, and research activities. Mr. Rajdeep Singh Jolly Esq, a former SALDEF Volunteer Attorney, was Associate Counsel for a small commercial bank in Miami, Florida.  During this period, he also served as a volunteer attorney for SALDEF and provided pro-bono assistance to a national advocacy group for abused and neglected children.

Mr. Jolly is the author of The Application of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to Appearance Regulations that Presumptively Prohibit Observant Sikh Lawyers from Joining the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps, which was published by the Chapman Law Review, and has also represented SALDEF in a range of media outlets.

Mr. Jolly graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami, where he received an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, and holds a law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary in Virginia.  He is a member of The Florida Bar.

Homeland Security Institute Requests SALDEF participation with Security and Technology Panel
On August 27, 2008 SALDEF representatives were invited to participate in a panel discussion to provide insight into the community perceptions of security technology. The technology being reviewed included fingerprint scans, iris scans, facial recognition software, and many others. We welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on products that will affect the community”, said SALDEF National Director Rajbir Singh Datta. “Where appropriate, all levels of the Federal Government should proactively seek out public opinion on a range of issues that affect the public.”

SALDEF Fall 2008 Internship Program
Don”t miss this opportunity 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 hands-on experience in community organizing, research, writing, legal issues affecting the community, political action, and education outreach. Applications are still being accepted! Current opportunities available include: Legal, Legislative, Communications and Development Fellows.

SALDEF Train”s New Recruits in Maryland
SALDEF conducted a Sikh American Awareness Training for 40 new police recruits in Howard County Maryland. This training video poker ept program was a unique time for SALDEF’s education program to affect the Sikh American community Maryland-wide.

The purpose of the law enforcement trainings is to provide information on how to appropriately interact with Sikhs and how to deal with Sikh articles of faith and cultural barriers which may exist.

SALDEF Conducts Bullying Presentation at New Jersey Sikh Camp
SALDEF Eastern Regional Director Savraj Singh presented SALDEF”s bullying awareness presentation to roughly 60 Sikh children at the 3rd Annual Sikh Sabha Gurdwara Youth Camp. The two 45-minute, interactive session engaged campers and encouraged them to remain confident in themselves while reaching out to parents and teachers for help.  By understanding past incidents of school harassment, the children learned to recognize bullying, understood its origins, and identified appropriate action to take when bullying occurs.

SALDEF Collaborates with Congressman David Wu on National Solutions to Bullying and Harassment Concerns
As the only Sikh member of the National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), a compilation of National organizations, SALDEF met with Congressman David Wu to discuss education priorities that effect the Sikh American community.
Of the concerns mentioned by coalition partnered included, limited English proficiency (LEP), parental involvement, and No Child Left Behind (NCLB). SALDEF focused on bullying and harassment of students and it’s effect on the future academic success. SALDEF is a strong supporter of the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2007 (HR. 3132).

SALDEF Attends FBI Centennial
On July 17, 2008 SALDEF was invited to attend the FBI Centennial event that was held in Washington DC. SALDEF works very closely with the FBI and frequently meets with the leadership including Director Robert Mueller to discuss issues of grave concern to the Sikh American community. SALDEF was able to hear from United States Attorney General Michael Mukasey, FBI Deputy Director John Pistol, as well as three of her past FBI Directors.

SALDEF Briefs OSCE Representative on Racism in the United States
On July 15, 2008 SALDEF met with the Anastasia Crickley, Personal Representative of the Chair in Office of the Organization ofSecurity and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination.

Of the numerous issues affecting Sikhs in the United States, SALDEF discussed the inability of Sikhs to service in the Armed Services, the dramatic increase in employment discrimination, school harassment, and hate crimes. The information the Ms. Crickley has received will be compiled in a document which is expected to be released within the next year.

Legal Updates

Since January, SALDEF has received 126 requests for legal assistance of which SALDEF has accepted 81 to assist. These cases involve broad issues from immigration and naturalization, DMV concerns, violations involving the right wear a kirpan, public accommodation concern, free exercise within prisons, and many others.

We need your support to ensure all members of the Sikh community receive the support they need when our faith is under attack. Support SALDEF’s efforts in protecting and advocating for the Sikh American community.

SALDEF urges all Americans to attend or host screenings in September Washington D.C. – August 29, 2008: The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) is proud to be an organizational sponsor of the over 60 screenings occurring throughout September 2008 of the critically acclaimed documentary, ‘Divided We Fall’. ‘Divided We Fall’ is a dramatic film following Valerie Kaur, then a 20-year-old college student, who traveled across the United States to document the violence against the Sikh American community in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. From the still-shocked streets of Ground Zero to the desert towns of the American west, her journey confronts the forces unleashed in a time of national crisis – racism and religion, fear and forgiveness. ‘Divided We Fall’ will be screened in over 60 communities across the United States. ‘Divided We Fall’ made its world premiere on September 14, 2006 in Phoenix, Arizona to commemorate the five-year memorial of the first American killed in a post-9/11 hate crime, Balbir Singh Sodhi.  The film has been recognized at film festivals, including; Best International Documentary at the ReelWorld Film Festival of Toronto, Best Documentary – Audience Choice at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, and Best Documentary at the New Jersey Independent South Asian Ciné Fest. SALDEF urges all Americans to support the screenings of this film by either attending or hosting one in your area. If you are interested in hosting a screening, contact DWF Tour Director Jodi Elliott at Jodi@dwf-film.com. Please distribute this widely to family, friends and at the local Gurdwara

SALDEF and ADC recognized for landmark partnership with Washington DC Police Force Washington D.C. – July, 24, 2008: This past Tuesday, July 22, 2008, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) each received an award from the Washington DC-Metro Police Department for their work in training the entire police force on the religious and cultural practices of Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Americans. SALDEF National Director Rajbir Singh Datta and ADC Legal Director Nawar Shora were recognized for their efforts in providing uniformed officers with recommendations on how to interact with Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Americans. The 30 week-long training program, which was completed earlier this year, reach almost 3,500 officers. Utilizing a professionally designed interactive presentation, SALDEF’s Training DVD On Common Ground, and other educational publications including our Who are the Sikhs brochure and the first-ever Sikh American Law Enforcement Reference Card, the training program was designed to provide law enforcement with an understanding of Sikh cultural practices and provide recommendations on how to appropriately interact with the community in non-emergency, non-crisis situations. The training was part of SALDEF’s Law Enforcement Partnership Program, which has trained over 100,000 law enforcement officers since it’s inception eight years ago. In 2007 alone, SALDEF training efforts reached over 20,000 law enforcement officers in cities across the nation including Washington, DC; Columbia, MO; Des Moines, IA; Jamestown, NC; Charlestown, WV; and Pittsburgh, PA. “It’s important that police leaders in our community are aware of, and have a thorough understanding, of the diversity of the millions of residents, commuters and the millions of tourists in the Washington DC area,” said SALDEF Managing Director Kavneet Singh. “We encourage the Sikh American community to partner with us and reach out to key civil and law enforcement officials in their local communities to ensure that relationships and connections are developed for greater understanding of who Sikhs are.” The award ceremony was held at the ADC National Headquarters on Wisconsin Ave, NW and attended by over 50 police leaders, civil rights officials, law enforcement representatives and Sikh residents of the local DC-Metropolitan area. CONTACT: Rajbir Singh Datta Phone: 202-393-2700 Ext. 27 E-mail: media@saldef.org

Washington D.C. — July 18, 2007: The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, urges the Sikh American community to contact their Senators to support S. 1105, the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act of 2007 (LLEHCPA). Your immediate support is urgently needed. Tell your Senator that hate is not an American or Sikh Value and that this is important legislation that must be passed. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the LLEHCPA earlier this year. It will allow for the federal resources to go to the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes which affect our families and community, and will help to ensure that victims of these crimes see justice. Without the passage of this hate crimes bill, hate crimes committed in our country will continue to go unrecognized, un-investigated, and unpunished. This past week, the importance of this bill became even more apparent to the Sikh American community with the murder of 26-year-old Satender Singh. Mr. Singh was removed from life support after being viciously assault in Sacramento over the July 4th weekend in a bias motivated attack. The assailants have yet to be found. If enacted, the LLEHCPA would assist local authorities with the investigation of hate crimes and ensure that the assailants are brought to justice. Protection from hate- and bias- motivated violence is a basic and essential civil right and the Senate must act now to ensure that this fundamental freedom is guaranteed to all Americans. Click here to contact your senator and urge him/her to support the hate crimes bill. To contact your senator directly, call (202) 224-3131 and request your Senator’s Office Click here for more background on the LLEHCPA.

Golf Digest Apologizes to Sikh Community for Irreverent Display of Image of Sikh Guru
SALDEF commends Golf Digest”s response; thanks community for supporting campaign

Washington D.C. – June 3, 2008: Yesterday, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the nation’s oldest and largest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, spoke with Golf Digest Editor-in-Chief and Chairman Jerry Tarde who offered his apology to SALDEF and the Sikh Community for using the display of an image of Guru Arjan Dev Ji as a “golfing guru” in the May 2008 edition.

In a written communication sent to SALDEF, Mr. Tarde stated, “Our editors regret this mistake and have learned an important lesson. Thank you for accepting our apology.” Golf Digest has assented to issue a public apology to the Sikh community in the August issue of the magazine which will come out in July as asked by hundreds of community members. In addition, Golf Digest agreed to SALDEF”s demand to stop the use of the image in their magazine or web site in the future.

The printed apology in the August 2008 edition of Golf Digest will read as follows:

“It has been brought to our attention that an illustration in the May issue of Golf Digest inadvertently depicted a golfing character resembling an image  of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, who is a revered religious figure in Sikhism. This was not our intent. We apologize for the use and for any offense to the Sikh community.”

On Friday, May 30, SALDEF issued a request to the Sikh community to register their protest on the irreverent use of Guru Arjan Dev Ji”s doctored image in Golf Digest. In response to SALDEF”s appeal for community support, hundreds of community members across the country wrote a letter asking Golf Digest to stop the use of the image and to print an apology in their next issue.

“We commend Mr. Tarde and Golf Digest for admitting their unintentional error and issuing an apology to the Sikh community. Their prompt acknowledgement and response is an example of responsible corporate behavior”, said Kavneet Singh, SALDEF Managing Director.  “We know that in order to attract newcomers to the sport of golf, there has been an attempt to implement diversity programs, golf outreach clinics, etc. We hope this experience facilitates better awareness and a desire to be informed about the rich cultural diversity that exists in the United States. We believe cultural awareness will enhance these outreach and diversity efforts.”

SALDEF thanks members of the community for taking the time to support this campaign and write to Golf Digest to voice their concerns.

Employment Discrimination and Harassment on the Rise

Washington D.C. – June 27, 2008: Whether it is at school, on the street, or in the workplace, Sikh Americans continue to face discrimination and harassment due to their Sikh identity. We must stand together to put an end to discrimination and harassment against Sikh Americans in the workplace and schools. In pursuit of this goal, please take a few moments to support the SIKH AMERICAN LITIGATION FUND to ensure that the Sikh American community has a dedicated fund to defend itself in times of need against discrimination and harassment. June 2008 – A Sikh American paramedic in New Mexico is facing potential job displacement due to an allegation that his beard would not allow him to wear a protective mask. May 2008 – A Sikh American woman in Virginia was fired from her job at a Fortune 500 company because of her resolve to wear her kirpan. April 2008 – A Sikh American man in North Carolina was refused a job by a convenience store chain because he purportedly did not have the “corporate look”. January 2008 – A Sikh American man in the Southwest was prevented from taking a post-secondary educational placement test due to his kara, daastar, and kirpan. Additionally, government agencies charged with protecting citizens from employment discrimination and harassment are often unable to respond promptly and effectively to the Sikh American community’s complaints of discrimination and harassment. “For too long, the Sikh American community has relied on the government to protect our civil rights, to protect our families, and to protect our children,” said SALDEF National Director Rajbir Singh Datta.  “It’s time for each of us to recognize that we have the ultimate responsibility for defending ourselves, our community, and our children.” SALDEF urges all Sikhs to join us in defending your right to practice your Sikh faith without any discrimination, fear or consequences. Your donation of $50, $100, $250, $1000 will help establish a permanent Litigation Fund and enable Sikh Americans to combat employment discrimination and harassment. SALDEF urges the Sikh American community to report incidents of discrimination and harassment to SALDEF immediately at info@saldef.org or 202-393-2700.

SALDEF urges retraction and apology for gross irreverence of Sikh faith Washington D.C. – May 30, 2008: The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, calls upon Golf Digest to apologize for the depiction of Sikhism’s Fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, as a “Golfing Guru” in its May 2008 edition. Golf Digest Comparison Sign the Petition expressing your displeasure about the image to Golf Digest On page 66 of the publication appears an article titled “The Golf Guru” which answers reader’s questions about general topics associated with golf. The beginning of the article features an image which, at first glance, appears to be a South Asian man dawned in a turban and beard, holding a golf club and wearing a golf glove. The image used is an obvious play on words where consumers have their questions answered by a “Golf Guru.” However, under closer examination, the image Golf Digest uses appears to in fact be a widely distributed picture of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Sikhism’s fifth Guru. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was instrumental in strengthening the message of equality and freedom of the Sikh faith. He stood up against all types of religious oppression and denounced social segregation. SALDEF has contacted Golf Digest publisher, Thomas Blair commenting, “While we understand the message that Golf Digest attempted, and failed, to send to their consumers, the decision to use the specific picture shows the cultural and religious ignorance of Golf Digest staff and senior executives.” SALDEF urges the community to sign the petition to voice your displeasure in the use of the image in their publication. SALDEF would like to thank Sartaj Singh Dhami and Harjit Singh Sandhar for bringing this depiction to our attention and for allowing us to use the photo above which was taken from Mr. Dhami’s blog, Restoring the Pride.

1. First Ever Asian Pacific American Presidential Town Hall 2. SALDEF Meets with USCIS Director Gonzalez 3. SALDEF Trains Maryland Police Chiefs 4. A Dream in Doubt to Screen Nationally on May 20, 2008 5. NASABA Convention to be held in Chicago 6. SALDEF honored by Virginia Sikh Community 7. Legal Updates 8. Community Announcements 9. Upcoming Events First Ever Asian Pacific American Presidential Town Hall SALDEF is proud to be a supporting organization of APIA Vote’s Saturday, May 17, Presidential Town Hall to be held on the campus of the University of California, Irvine, in Orange County, California. The Town Hall will, for the first time, allow the larger Asian Pacific American community address the Presidential Candidates on the issues. The forum expects over 2,000 community leaders, elected officials, voters, and students representing this diverse community from across the country to participate. The Sikh American community is especially encouraged to attend this powerful forum. Our community has the ability to make a visual impact in this forum which is being covered by hundreds of media outlets. Registration is Required (if you would like to sit with other members of the community to make the greatest impact – write “SALDEF” under organization) SALDEF Meets with USCIS Director Gonzalez On April 11, 2008 representatives of SALDEF met with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Emilio Gonzalez. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss concerns over the delays in naturalization and green cards. As a result of the meeting, SALDEF received assurances from Director Gonzalez in regards to the following: * Name Checks pending more than 3 years will be completed by May 31, 2008 * Name Checks pending more than 2 years will be completed by June 30, 2008 * Name Checks pending more than 1 years will be completed by July 31, 2008 * By Summer 2009, 98% of name checks will be completed within 30 days * Green Card holders will now be issued their documents regardless of if the background check was completed. However, the green card can be revoked if a security concern arises. * Naturalization cases pending more the 4 years were resolved in March 2008 * Naturalization cases pending more the 2 years were resolved by May 31, 2008 If you have any questions about the immigration delays or any of the information above, please contact our immigration department at immigration@saldef.org. SALDEF Trains Maryland Police Chiefs On April 17, SALDEF’s team was invited to present information on Sikhism, and cultural practices of South Asians to over 65 Municipal Chiefs from the State of Maryland. The training was an opportunity for the Sikh American community to effectively train senior law enforcement officials throughout Maryland about Sikh religious practices and how to respect their members of the community. Click here for more information on SALDEF’s training efforts. A Dream in Doubt to Screen Nationally on May 20, 2008 SALDEF presents A Dream In DoubtThroughout April and May, SALDEF was proud to be one of the national partners of the ITVS screening of A Dream in Doubt. The film was co-produced by former SALDEF National Director Preetmohan Singh and directed by Tami Yeager. A Dream in Doubt is the story of Rana Singh Sodhi, the brother of Balbir Singh Sodhi, the first causality of post-9/11 backlash and his journey to reclaim the American Dream and fight the hate which threatens his community. The film has been screened in over 30 cities across the United States to date, many with SALDEF or Sikh American panelists discussing the issues the Sikh American community has faced since 9/11. A Dream in Doubt is scheduled to air nationally on PBS on May 20, 2008. Please encourage your friends and family to watch this engaging and important film. Please check your local listings for timings. NASABA Convention to be held in Chicago The Indian American Bar Association of Chicago and the Pakistani American Bar Association of North America are hosting the Annual North American South Asian Bar Association (NASABA) 2008 Convention in Chicago, IL, between June 26-June 28, 2008, at the Westin-Michigan Avenue and the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom. All are invited to attend this Convention, which provides excellent networking opportunities as well a chance to hear from successful professionals on topical issues. The NASABA Chicago Convention team has been working hard to make this Convention great but that can only be assured by your attendance. Registration is currently available at www.nasabaconvention.org. SALDEF is proud to co-sponsor this Convention. SALDEF honored by Virginia Sikh Community On Sunday, April 13, SALDEF was honored by the Virginia Sikh community at the Sikh Foundation of Virginia. Community members commended the efforts of local SALDEF volunteers to assist the Sikh community throughout the Washington, DC, area. Additionally, they expressed their gratitude for SALDEF’s national educational, legislative, and advocacy efforts to defend the rights of the Sikh American community. Legal Updates Since January, SALDEF has received 65 requests for legal assistance of which SALDEF has had to engage in 28 extended redress efforts. These cases involve broad issues from immigration and naturalization, DMV concerns about wearing a dastaar, violations involving the right wear a kirpan, and the denial of entry of a Sikh simply due to his daastar to a public testing facility. To continue our efforts defending Sikh Americans, we need your support to ensure all members of the Sikh community receive the support they need when our faith is under attack. Click here to support SALDEF’s efforts by making a recurring monthly or one-time donation to further our mission of protecting and advocating for the Sikh American community. Community Announcements Narika Legal Internship Narika seeks a legal intern entering either the second or third year of law school to assist in addressing family and immigration law issues affecting our clients. The internship is a full time 10-week program. The intern will split time between the law firm located in Oakland and Narika in the East Bay. Narika has secured a fellowship grant from the South Asian Bar Association Foundation that will allow the intern to be paid a stipend of $3,000. For further compensation, students are encouraged to inquire into their school’s work-study programs. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to the Executive Director of Narika at atashi@narika.org. Due to the nature of our work, the intern must be female. The application deadline is May 14, 2008. R2W Summer Youth Leadership Institute The R2W Summer Youth Leadership Institute is a 15-day residential summer program for high school youth rooted in API culture and consciousness. Over the past five years, more than 150 young people have participated. They meet youth from other places and other cultures, experience life on a college and seminary campus, visit different communities, try new things, and gain valuable leadership skills. In the process they become more aware of their culture and history, more in tune with their faith and spirituality, more confident and articulate, and more outgoing and involved in their churches and communities. R2W will cover travel to and from Berkeley, room, board and the cost of all program activities for the full two weeks for youth who are selected to participate. We ask that each selected participant contribute a $150 registration fee. Limited scholarships are available for the registration fee. Young people who are interested in the R2W Summer Youth Leadership Institute should check out the R2W website (www.represent2witness.org) and complete the application form. Upcoming Events * Law Enforcement Training – Savannah, GA May 15, 2008 * APA Presidential Town Hall – University of California, Irvine – Irvine, CA May 17, 2008 * “Civil Rights in a Post-9/11 America” – University of California, Washington Program – Washington, DC May 19, 2008 * APIA Democratic Summit – Washington, DC May 21, 2008 * Seattle Sikh Retreat – Seattle, WA May 23-26, 2008 * Johns Hopkins University Presentation on Sikhism – Columbia, MD May 30, 2008