More than two dozen followers have been arrested for carrying article of faith By Matthew Artz, STAFF WRITER, The Argus For observant Sikhs, car keys and loose change aren’t the only things to worry about when walking through metal detectors. Their religion requires that they wear a small sword, called a Kirpan, usually slung above their left hip in a cloth casing. The article of faith has been the source of hostile encounters with screeners at airports, courthouses and federal buildings, where several Sikhs have been arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. To help avoid such encounters, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security this week released a poster explaining the Kirpan and giving security screeners tips on diplomatically searching for and confiscating the sword. The posters will be circulated at airports, border crossings and federal buildings across the country and should arrive in the Bay Area within the next few weeks, said Rajbir Datta, associate director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund in Washington, D.C. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Sikh organization, which worked on the poster with federal officials, has dealt with about 30 instances of Sikhs’ being arrested for carrying a Kirpan. All of the cases have been dismissed, Datta said. “We want law enforcement to understand the significance of the Kirpan, so they don’t view it as a weapon.” Difficulties usually arise, Datta said, when Sikhs forget to either pack the religious sword in their luggage before going through airport security or leave it in their car when traveling to buildings with metal detectors. The poster, which will be placed inside security offices, directs screeners to ask Sikhs if they are carrying a Kirpan and then request to inspect it. “If the Kirpan must be confiscated, explain the reason and handle the Kirpan with respect and care,” the poster says. What happens next to the sword depends on the checkpoint, Datta said. For visits at prisons and several historic sites such as the Statue of Liberty, Sikhs can leave the Kirpan with security guards. At airports, the Kirpans must be stowed in luggage that is not carried into the cabin. At federal courthouses, they must be taken outside the building. About 15 percent of Sikhs wear Kirpans. The swords typically have a 3- to 6-inch curved blade with ornate designs attached to a metal or wooden handle. Wearing the sword, which hangs from a shoulder strap or a neck chain for smaller blades, is an article of faith for observant Sikhs. The Kirpan is rooted in the persecution Sikhs faced in South Asia and symbolizes the adherent’s duty to uphold justice, Datta said. Sarabjit Cheema, vice president of the Sikh temple in Fremont, said no one from the temple has been arrested for wearing the Kirpan, but that many members have had uncomfortable moments at security checkpoints. “They look at you with a strange kind of look,” she said of the screeners. Before Sept. 11, Cheema said, metal detectors at airports didn’t always detect her Kirpan, allowing her to wear it on planes. These days, she grudgingly packs the sword in her luggage when flying and leaves it in her car when heading to a courthouse. “I don’t feel good about having to remove it,” she said. “Hopefully one day people will be able to recognize its importance to us.” [QL] Staff writer Matthew Artz covers Union City for the Argus. He can be reached at (510) 353-7003 or martz@angnewspapers.com.
Poster urges screeners to respect Sikh sword
Washington, D.C. November 21, 2006– Yesterday, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) released a poster explaining the Sikh Kirpan, produced in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The poster, entitled Sikh Americans and the Kirpan, provides a brief introduction to the Kirpan, a Sikh article of faith, and security recommendations for law enforcement officials when they come in contact with a Kirpan. The Kirpan poster was formally unveiled in a joint SALDEF – DHS roll out event yesterday at the National Gurdwara in Washington, D.C. The Kirpan, a religious sword, which serves as a constant reminder to a Sikh’s duty to uphold justice, has often caused law enforcement officials across the country much confusion. This poster, a product of extensive collaboration between DHS and SALDEF, will be used to inform thousands of federal law enforcement officers and security screeners about the religious significance of the Kirpan to Sikhs. Speaking during the event, Daniel Sutherland, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at DHS commended SALDEF for its efforts in producing the poster. Mr. Sutherland stated: “We recognize the need to balance homeland security requirements with the ability of you as a Sikh to practice your faith. This poster is a tool to increase awareness about the Kirpan and enhance learning and understanding of your culture.” “This poster is one part of an ongoing effort by SALDEF to change the way law enforcement in the United States view the Kirpan.” said SALDEF co-founder and Board Chairman Manjit Singh. “The increased awareness about the Kirpan among federal law enforcement officials will help in the appropriate handling and ensure a positive interaction between Sikh Americans and Federal law enforcement personnel.” 
Dean Hunter, Director of the Federal Protective Service, the main DHS agency which sponsored the poster, stated, “this is a win-win situation resulting from our partnership with SALDEF to develop the Kirpan poster. The poster will be distributed to 8,700 federal facilities across the country.” The Office of Federal Protective Service (FPS) is a branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is responsible for the security of several thousand owned and leased Federal buildings, facilities, properties and other federal assets. The FPS is a force of 2,000 federal police officers which provides security police services to U.S. Federal buildings and other properties. Including the Federal Protective Services (FPS), other agencies part of the three-year-old Department of Homeland Security include Transportation Security Agency (TSA), Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), US Coast Guard and the Secret Service to name a few. SALDEF similarly collaborated with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2004 on a project to produce a poster entitled Common Sikh American Head Coverings. The purpose of that poster was to provide local, state and federal law enforcement officials with basic information about the Sikh faith, the significance of the Daastar (turban), and provide recommendations on handling the Daastar when interacting with Sikh Americans. Over the past decade, SALDEF has achieved similar landmark accomplishments and successes for the Sikh American community. Since 1996 SALDEF has continuously increased collaboration with government officials and civic leaders. This poster is a prime example and byproduct of the dedicated and continued efforts of the past decade of seva (service) to the Sikh American community. We hope to continue this work for another decade, but can only do so with your generous support. Through your recurring financial support you can play a direct role in creating awareness about the Sikh identity among non-Sikhs, protect Sikhs from experiencing harassment while visiting a national park, being denied access to a courtroom to defend themselves as guaranteed them by the U.S. Constitution, or being a victim of hate crimes or workplace discrimination, and working with the oldest Sikh American civil rights organization in the country to further support and empower the Sikh American community. You can make your donation online in a few easy steps by clicking here. The DHS Kirpan Poster is available on SALDEF’s website at www.saldef.info. A partial list of media coverage of this event is listed below: Washington Post; A Pointed Reminder for Security Screeners, November 21, 2006 (Link no longer available) Daily News & Analysis: Kirpans get respect at US Airports, November 21, 2006 Poster Urges Screeners to Respect Sikh Sword
Poster to reach over 40,000 federal law enforcement officials; will significantly increase awareness of Kirpan, a Sikh article of faith Washington, D.C., November 15, 2006 – Next Monday, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) will be unveiling a a poster explaining the Sikh Kirpan produced in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The poster is entitled Sikh Americans and the Kirpan and provides a brief introduction to the Sikh faith, the Sikh article of faith the Kirpan, and security recommendations for law enforcement officials when they come in contact with a Kirpan. The Kirpan, a religious sword, which serves as a constant reminder to a Sikh’s duty to uphold justice, has often caused law enforcement officials much confusion across the country. This poster, a product of an extensive collaboration between DHS and SALDEF, will be used to inform thousands of federal law enforcement officers and security screeners about the religious significance of the Kirpan to Sikhs. The poster will be sent to hundreds of offices under DHS including, the Federal Protective Services (FPS), Transportation Security Agency (TSA), Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement (ICE) and the Secret Service to name a few. “This venture is one part of an ongoing effort by SALDEF to change the way individuals in the United States view the Kirpan.” said SALDEF co-founder and Board Chairman Manjit Singh. “We must continue partnering with law enforcement and government officials at all levels to ensure their further understanding of our Sikh practices.” SALDEF similarly collaborated with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2004 on a project to produce a poster entitled Common Sikh American Head Coverings. The purpose of that poster was to provide local, state and federal law enforcement officials with basic information about the Sikh faith, the significance of the Daastar (turban), and provide recommendations on handling the Daastar when interacting with Sikh Americans. The Kirpan poster will be a formally unveiled in a joint SALDEF – DHS Press Conference on November 20, 2006 at the National Gurdwara (details below). Individuals scheduled to speak include: Dean Hunter, Acting Director of the Federal Protective Services Daniel Sutherland, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Department of Homeland Security Satwant Kaur Bell, President, National Gurdwara Manjit Singh, Chairman, SALDEF Unveiling of Kirpan Poster National Gurdwara 3801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC Monday November 20, 2006 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Members of the mainstream and ethnic media will be in attendance. SALDEF encourages the Washington, DC-area Sikh American community to attend and show their support for continued collaboration and partnership between the Sikh American community and the Federal Government. The poster will be available at www.saldef.org for review and download after the unveiling.
Security agencies and communities cooperate to protect civil rights, leaders say “Our country is more secure today because law enforcement and America’s Arab, Muslim, Sikh and South Asian communities are working more closely together,” according to Homeland Security’s Daniel W. Sutherland. “We sincerely hope and expect that those relationships will deepen and strengthen as the years progress,” the officer for civil rights and civil liberties at the Department of Homeland Security said, introducing a panel on security enhancement through community involvement at the National Press Club in Washington September 15. Addressing the group, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Wan Kim called the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States ” a seminal event in the nation’s history” and deplored post-9/11 hate crimes against Arab and Sikh Americans. Among the most effective tools to counter such incidents are outreach programs to the Arab and South Asian American community leaders, he said, adding that cooperation with federal, state and local law enforcement officials has enhanced protection of civil rights in their communities and brought criminals to justice. Kim cited the examples of James Herrick, who attempted to burn down a Pakistani restaurant in Salt Lake City; Frank Roque, who gunned down Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh, in a Mesa, Arizona, service station; and an Iowa Marriot hotel that, under false pretences, canceled an agreement to host an American Syrian and Lebanese group’s annual convention. Kim said there was redress in each case: Herrick was sentenced to five years in prison; Roque was sentenced to death; and the Marriot apologized, paid $100,000 in compensation and instituted training for its employees in cultural sensitivity. MORE FEDERAL RESOURCES DEVOTED TO PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS Since 2001, the Department of Justice has investigated more than 700 cases throughout the United States and brought federal charges against 35 defendants, Kim said. Attorneys from Homeland Security’s civil rights division coordinated with state prosecutors in 150 nonfederal prosecutions, “in many cases providing substantial assistance.” Cases of harassment of Muslim students have been investigated. “In New York, currently we are litigating a case involving the right of Muslim and Sikh bus and subway drivers to wear their religious headgear,” he said. Since 9/11, more people have been detailed to track civil rights issues in the Homeland Security and Justice departments. The Department of Justice sponsored more than 250 town hall meetings with American Arabs, Muslims and South Asians around the country to address their concerns, Kim said, adding, “But this is a process, not a destination. There is more work to be done.” New training on cultural issues has been incorporated at the FBI, according to FBI unit chief Brett Hovington. “We are fighting in a totally different environment these days, and the war on terrorism is not going to be won, necessarily, with knocking down doors, but based on building relationships,” he said. TERRORISM, EXTREMISM REPRESENT “CLASH OF THE UNCIVILIZED” Panelist Imam Mohamed Hagmagid Ali of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society Center in Virginia spoke of its work “to make sure [the Muslim] community protects itself from being penetrated by extremists and those who might wish harm to our nation and hijack our religion.” A decree, or fatwa, denouncing terrorism was issued at his mosque. Programs for youth “to integrate them into society,” such as the Boy Scouts, are emphasized. Networking with other religious organizations and civil rights groups, instituting a “mosque without walls” open to Muslim and non-Muslim alike, and establishing dialogues with U.S. government agencies are effective approaches to the issues that affect the Muslim community, he said. “There has been a collective decision at the level of the Muslim communities of America to become a part of the solution in the post 9/11 conflict as opposed to a part of the problem,” said Ahmed Younis, national director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. He supported the imam’s view that mosques can ensure community integrity remains intact, that they are not manipulated “to engage in acts of extremism or acts of terrorism.” He said the discourse begins among Muslims themselves, with amplification of Islam’s message against terrorism and extremism, and financial accountability to congregations and transparency about where and how charitable funds are being spent. “We do not subscribe to the proposition that there is a clash of civilizations, we as Muslims subscribe to the proposition that there is a clash of the uncivilized,” Younis said. Manjit Singh, head of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, described the ongoing problems that American Sikhs have experienced, and how Sikh organizations have worked with U.S. security agencies to define culturally sensitive guidelines for airport screening. “One can’t have security without making everyone secure,” he said. “We can’t be discriminatory and say security applies to some and not to others.” To a question about why American Muslims are not drawn to extremism as readily as their European counterparts, Ali offered, “American Muslims are unique. They are very integrated with the community.” Other panel participants were Laila Al-Qatami, communications director for the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and Dr. Yahya Basha, of Basha Diagnostics P.C. Source: U.S. Department of State judythpiazza@gmail.com
Sikh Community from Greater Chicago Area urged to attend event featuring officials from federal, state and local agencies Washington, DC, September 27, 2006 – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), in conjunction with the Sikh Religious Society of Chicago, has invited several government officials to participate in a community forum this Sunday, October 1, 2006. Members of the Sikh American community from the Greater Chicago area are encouraged to attend this event with their children so that they may be better informed about their civil rights, and be armed with the crucial knowledge on appropriate responses and actions to take to protect and exercise their constitutional rights. The following representatives will be attending the forum: Officer Matt Taylor – Palatine, IL Police Department Lisa Williams – Illinois Attorney General’s Office; Civil Rights Division Robert Blackwood – United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Pablo Medina – Chicago Commission on Human Relations Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) DATE: 10/01/2006 TIME:11:00 AM – 1:00 PM LOCATION: Sikh Religious Society of Chicago 1280 W Winnekta Street Palatine, IL 60067 These forums provide a unique opportunity for Sikh Americans to learn how to correctly respond to all forms of discrimination, hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents and about protecting their families and our community from these incidents. The focus of these forums is to bring to the sangat the individuals who are responsible for litigating egregious cases of religious and national origin discrimination and dealing with issues of bias-motivated crimes, for a meaningful face-to-face interaction. In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the founding of SALDEF/SMART, SALDEF has been organizing similar events across the country. SALDEF encourages all residents of the Greater Chicago area to attend. We thank the management and community members of the Sikh Religious Society of Chicago for supporting and sponsoring this event.
Local FBI and Muslim Leaders Try to Establish Better Ties By Sari Horwitz Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, September 21, 2006; Page A23 Don’t let an FBI investigation be the reason for your first visit to an Arab home, a U.S. Muslim leader told 500 FBI agents gathered at Quantico yesterday, urging them to reach out to Arab communities. “You say ‘FBI’ to the average Yousef out there and they picture a middle-aged white guy talking in their sleeve,” said Nawar Shora of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. “Recent immigrants don’t have the comfort level, because in their countries oftentimes the equivalent of the FBI is the secret police.” Shora dispensed his advice to FBI agents from the bureau’s second-largest office, the Washington Field Office, as part of an effort by Muslim community leaders and FBI officials to build a more trusting relationship. Shora and other Muslim leaders met last week over tea and cookies with Joseph Persichini Jr., acting assistant director in charge of the FBI office. The group included representatives from the Council on American Islamic Relations, the Sikh American Legal Defense Education Fund, the Arab America Institute, the Muslim Public Affairs Council and the ADAMS (All Dulles Area Muslim Society) Center. “We need to reach out and develop better contacts in the Shia community in light of the Lebanon-Israel war,” Persichini told the group, gathered around his conference table. The FBI helped create the group, called the Arab, Muslim and Sikh Advisory Council, after Sept. 11, 2001. They meet about every two months to discuss a range of issues, including hate crimes and concerns about the Patriot Act. Persichini said the relationships developed through this committee allow him and Muslim leaders to be in constant touch by phone or electronic message. He said he hopes that inroads into the Muslim community will help the FBI attract much-needed Arab American agents. “We have to recruit better,” he said. When Muslim leaders recently learned that an FBI agent wrote an e-mail insinuating that some area Muslim groups were linked to terrorists, they immediately talked by phone to Persichini and Shora said the controversy was resolved. Two days ago Persichini heard a radio broadcast about a report released by a national Muslim advocacy organization detailing an increase in hate crimes in the Washington area. The report was news to him. “I fired off a BlackBerry message to Arsalan [Iftikhar from the Council on American Islamic Relations],” Persichini said. “I said, ‘Hello? Where did that come from?’ ” While the report raised questions about overzealous arrests and interrogation practices, Iftikhar told Persichini that he had praised the FBI Washington Field Office at a news conference about the report for its efforts in trying to combat hate crimes in the area. Two weeks ago, at a Saturday night family gathering at a mosque, Imam Mohammed Magid of the ADAMS Center presented Persichini and the FBI’s Washington office an award for service to the Muslim community. “We don’t always agree,” said Shora. “But we’ve come a long way. Communication and understanding equals trust.”
Washington, DC, August 15, 2006 — Following the successfully foiled attempted terrorist activity at London’s Heathrow Airport late last week, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) has been in direct contact with federal agencies including the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure steps are taken to prevent backlash against the Sikh American community. SALDEF would like to commend these agencies for their pro-active efforts in making sure that minority communities are not unfairly targeted. The FBI has also noted that the assistance of members of the Arab American, Muslim and Sikh communities has been vital to the government’s efforts to keep our country safe. “The progressive efforts of federal and local law enforcement are greatly appreciated by the Sikh American community,” stated SALDEF President Mirin Kaur Phool. “Their collective efforts will go a long way in protecting all innocent Americans from being targeted or singled-out because of their appearance or faith.” SALDEF also urges local law enforcement agencies to coordinate with Sikh American leaders to deter hate crimes. SALDEF is cautioning the Sikh American community to take extra safety measures to safeguard themselves, their property and their local Gurdwara from possible backlash by misguided and racist individuals. Please view a list of precautionary safety tips here. If you or anyone you know becomes the victim of a hate incident, please report it to SALDEF immediately here or at info@saldef.org. SALDEF has relationships with law enforcement agencies across the nation and will ensure that the appropriate agency is notified of the incident and follow-up action is initiated. You can also contact SALDEF toll free at 877-91-SIKHS (1-877-917-4547). To help the community better respond to any incident, SALDEF has developed Know What To Do, a handy pocket guide that details the steps that should be taken in the event of a hate crime, discrimination in the workplace, police profiling, and states your rights as an airline passenger. You can download the Know What To Do guide here.
Sikh Community from New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey encouraged to attend. Washington, DC– The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), in conjunction with the Bridgewater Gurdwara Sahib, the Gurdwara Singh Sabha of Glen Rock, the Gurdwara Sri Dashmesh Darbar Sahib of Port Reading, and the Sri Guru Singh Sabha of Carteret, has invited several government officials to participate in a community forum this Saturday, June 15, 2006. Members of the Sikh American community from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania are encouraged to attend this event with their children so that they may be informed about their civil rights. The following representatives will be attending the forum: Edward McCaffrey – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) David Livingston– Somerset County Superintendent; New Jersey Department of Education Phillip Freeman – Office of the New Jersey Attorney General; Division of Civil Rights Mr. Leslie Wiser, Jr. – Special Agent-In-Charge; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Invitations have also been extended to representatives from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Raritan Police Department. DATE: 6/15/2006 TIME: 2:00 – 4:00 PM LOCATION: The “Atrium,” Raritan Valley Community College Route 28 and Lamington Road North Branch, NJ 07047 These forums provide a unique opportunity for Sikh community members to learn about their rights and about protecting their families and our community from hate crimes and harassment. The focus of these forums is to bring to the sangat the individuals who are responsible for litigating egregious cases of religious and national origin discrimination for a meaningful face-to-face interaction. In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the founding of SALDEF/SMART, SALDEF will be organizing similar events across the country. SALDEF encourages all residents of the Tri-State area to attend. We thank the management and community members of the Bridgewater Gurdwara Sahib, the Gurdwara Singh Sabha, the Gurdwara Sri Dashmesh Darbar Sahib, and the Sri Guru Singh Sabha for supporting and sponsoring this event.
SALDEF’s 10th Anniversary Celebration & Leadership Conference Celebrating 10 years of Service to the Sikh American Community June 18-19, 2006 Register Now for SALDEF’s Leadership Conference and 10th Anniversary Banquet • Meet Sikh Canadian Member of Parliament Honorable Navdeep Singh Bains, U.S. Congrssman Michael Honda (CA), Director of the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service Ms. Sharee Freeman, former U.S. Congresswoman Honorable Mary Rose Oakar, Ratanjit Singh Sondhe, and many others. • Attend the SALDEF Leadership and Empowerment Conference and participate in panels and workshops on Essentials of Leadership, Effective Communication, Community Organizing and gain key insight into the career building process during the Career Development panel. CONFERENCE PROGRAM The National Leadership and Empowerment Conference is dedicated to the development and fostering of the future generation of Sikh American leaders. The panels are designed to empower and engage young Sikh professionals and students on proven leadership strategies that will aid them in their chosen fields and paths. SALDEF National Leadership & Empowerment Conference WHERE: Marvin Center, George Washington University 800 21st St NW, Washington DC 20052 DATE: June 18, 2006 TIME: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm BANQUET PROGRAM The 2006 Annual Banquet will be a unique opportunity for Sikhs from across North America, to come together with civic leaders, government officials and SALDEF’s coalition partners to recognize individuals who have helped move the Sikh American community forward, hear from community members who have benefited form SALDEF’s and meet new friends. SALDEF 2006 Annual Banquet WHERE: Caucus Room, 325 Russell Senate Office Building Capitol Hill, Washington, DC 20510 DATE: June 19, 2006 TIME: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm REGISTRATION SALDEF has created easy to use on-line forms to register for both the Leadership Conference and Annual Banquet. HOTEL INFORMATION The Washington Plaza Hotel offers a unique blend of cosmopolitan ambiance and unpretentious hospitality in an uncommonly spacious setting, right in the heart of Washington, DC. It is conveniently accessible by public transportation (bus and metro.) For information on the hotel visit: http://www.washingtonplazahotel.com/. SALDEF has arranged special rates for participants. Please use the booking code “ SALDEF” when reserving rooms to receive special discounted rates for Conference and Banquet attendees. Call Washington Plaza Hotel for reservation at: 202-842-1300 / 800-424-1140 REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY This event is also an ideal venue to reach out to one of the largest annual gatherings of Sikh Americans and their supporters. Sponsorship, advertising, and exhibitor opportunities are available. Advertising rates for the Convention program book start as low as $100. Reserve your ad or greeting in the Convention book today. FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Call Rajbir Singh Datta at 202-393-2700 ext. 27 to discuss advertising, sponsorship and underwriting opportunities.
SALDEF to conduct training in response to incident at Statue of Liberty Washington D.C., June 7, 2006 – The National Park Service has apologized to Gurvinderpal Singh and his other Sikh American friends for the inappropriate actions of the security staff at the Statue of Liberty in January 2006. In response to a complaint of harassment and misconduct filed by the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the National Park Service (NPS) will be conducting cultural awareness training about Sikhs for their supervisors and staff. In her response to SALDEF’s complaint, NPS Regional Director Mary Bomar apologized “for any mistreatment of Mr. Gurvinderpal Singh and his colleagues”, and indicated how their security policy “does not excuse a disrespectful attitude on the part of our staff.” Additionally, Director Bomar wrote that, “We demand a high standard for all who work at the Statue of Liberty and the need for sensitivity to different cultural and religious beliefs is paramount. Anything less than a respectful attitude is totally unacceptable.” On January 16, 2006 during a visit to the Statue of Liberty, Mr. Gurvinderpal Singh and eight fellow Sikh Americans were harassed by security personnel for wearing their kirpans – a religious article of faith – and “appearing suspicious”. Upon entering the security gates, the group was initially worried about wearing their kirpans and calmly inquired as to what they should do with their articles of faith. The security guards immediately became hostile and told them they would not be allowed to pass through with their kirpans and told them that the kirpans could not be left in the guard’s possession because they would be confiscated. The group eventually left the security gates to place their kirpans in their vehicle; however, when they came back and attempted to go through the security gates, the nine Sikh Americans were harassed and treated like criminals. According to Gurvinderpal Singh’s account of the incident, “I took off my kirpan, and when I gave it to my friend to put it in the car I felt as if a part of me had died and I felt like breaking down and crying. I was eaten up with guilt.” These nine Sikh Americans were denied the ability to practice their faith freely and openly. Furthermore, the National Park Service security guards became hostile towards the group; treating them with suspicion and as criminals. Feeling humiliated by this treatment, Gurvinderpal Singh contacted SALDEF to address this incident of harassment. In a letter addressed to the National Parks Service Director and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, SALDEF noted that, “[c]onstitutionally, United States citizens have the right to free exercise of religion and any act of discrimination must undergo strict scrutiny. Though in this time of heightened security, measures can and certainly must be taken to prevent terrorist attacks, such hostile action should not be directed towards innocent people who are cooperative and transparent about their role as tourists. The Sikh Americans in this case were aboveboard with the information that they were Sikhs and were wearing their articles of faith. They were obliging in removing their Kirpan, an article of faith, to avoid possible violation of the security system, regardless of the emotional distress that it caused them to do so.” Along with the apology, NPS has agreed to work with US Department of Justice Community Relations Service and SALDEF to conduct separate Sikh cultural awareness trainings for the 100 supervisors in charge of security at other tourist attractions in the New York City/New Jersey area. This is a vital step in the continued protection of the 25 million Sikhs across the world who may visit New York City as tourists. The National Parks Service has undertaken a formal investigation into the incident in question and has said they will take appropriate actions with specific individuals. If you or anyone you know have been the victim of a similar incident or have experienced harassment of some kind, please contact SALDEF immediately so that the Sikh American can continue living without fear. PLEASE distribute this to your family, friends and at the local Gurdwara.