For Immediate Release: March 31, 2006 Tri-State residents encouraged to attend event featuring officials from federal, state and local agencies Washington D.C. – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) and the management of the Tri-State Sikh Cultural Society have invited several federal, state and local officials to participate in a community forum for the Sikh community in the greater tri-state area. The Sikh American community is encouraged to attend this event with their children so that they may be informed about their rights when encountering different federal and state agencies. Confirmed participants include representatives from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Monroeville police Department and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Invitations have also been extended to the United States Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American Affairs. The purpose of this event is to aid Sikh Americans in learning how to correctly respond to all forms of discrimination, hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents and bullying and harassment of school children. This forum will provide Sikh Americans with the crucial knowledge on appropriate responses and actions to take to protect and exercise their constitutional rights. SALDEF encourages all residents of the greater Tri-state area to attend. We thank the management and community members of the Tri-State Sikh Cultural Society for supporting and co-sponsoring this event. When: Saturday, April 8, 2006 Time: 3 pm – 5 pm Where: Tri-State Cultural Society Bedford 4407 McKenzie Drive Monroeville, PA 15146 For more information about this forum please go click here.
Know Your Rights Forum to be held in Pittsburgh — Saturday, April 8, 2006
SALDEF’s 10th Anniversary Celebration & Leadership Conference Celebrating 10 years of Service to the Sikh American Community June 18-19, 2006 SALDEF’s 2006 Annual Banquet will commemorate the 10th Anniversary of SALDEF and recognize the unparalleled achievements and advocacy initiatives that SALDEF has undertaken on behalf of the Sikh American community over the past decade. This 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 reflect on important issues, recognize individuals who have helped move the Sikh American community forward, and to meet new friends. Additionally, on June 18, 2006, SALDEF will host the first ever National Sikh Leadership and Empowerment Conference designed to empower and engage young Sikh professionals and students on proven leadership strategies. For more information on the banquet and to register please click here: SALDEF 2006 Annual Banquet WHERE: Caucus Room, 325 Russell Senate Office Building Capitol Hill, Washington, DC 20510 DATE: June 19, 2006 TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm For information on conference program, registration, and sponsorship opportunities please visit: http://saldef.wpengine.com/. SALDEF National Leadership & Empowerment Conference WHERE: Marvin Center, George Washington University DATE: June 18, 2006 TIME: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
For Immediate Release: March 20, 2006 Ohio residents encouraged to attend event featuring officials from federal, state and local agencies Washington D.C. – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) and the management of the Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society of Bedford, Ohio have invited several federal, state and local officials to participate in a community forum for the Sikh community. The Sikh American community is encouraged to attend this event with their children so that they may be informed about their rights and learn how various federal and state agencies can assist if their rights are violated. Confirmed participants include representatives from the United States Attorney’s Office, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bedford Police Department, and Ohio Civil Rights Commission. The purpose of this event is to aid Sikh Americans in learning how to correctly respond to all forms of discrimination, hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents and bullying and harassment of school children. This forum will provide Sikh Americans with the crucial knowledge on appropriate responses and actions to take to protect and exercise their constitutional rights. SALDEF encourages all residents of the greater Cleveland metropolitan area to attend. We thank the management and community members of Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society for supporting and co-sponsoring this event. When: Saturday, March 25, 2006 Time: 3 pm – 5 pm Where: Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Society of Bedford 38 Tarbell Road Bedford, Ohio For more information about this forum please go to: www.saldef.org/attachments/clevelandkyr.pdf
Tremendous Gathering Features SALDEF Awardees and Commemorates 10 years of Service to Sikh Americans Washington, D.C. – On June 19, 2006 Sikhs from across the country along with elected officials and honored guests, gathered to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) as well as recognize individuals who have helped in the empowerment and development of the Sikh American Community. The Honorable Navdeep Singh Bains, a Sikh Canadian Member of Parliament provided the evening’s Keynote address. In his address, Mr. Bains spoke about the strength of character and Sikh tenets that led him to dedicate his life to public service. “SALDEF is an organization that I have a great amount of respect and admiration for,” said MP Bains. “There is no parallel institution of this caliber that does this kind of work for the Sikh community and all communities.” Additionally, SALDEF was honored to award Canadian MP Bains with its inaugural SALDEF Youth Leadership Award for his extraordinary achievement of being elected to the Canadian Parliament and for embracing his role as an inspiration to Sikh youth worldwide. Congressman Michael Honda (D-CA) was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Dalip Singh Saund Legislative Leadership Award. The award is named after Dr. Saund, a Sikh American who became the first Asian American ever elected to the United States Congress in 1956. When introducing Congressman Honda, SALDEF co-founder and Acting Chair Manjit Singh remarked, “very rarely have we had such a close friend for the Sikh Community in Congress. [Congressman Honda] has been the most steadfast friend and it gives us special honor and privilege to recognize him for his dedication and public service.” Congressman Honda, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, noted that, “Congressman Dalip Singh Saund had fought for his position. I also know that he could not become a Congressman when he wanted to be because of the discriminatory laws that were existing at that time that did not allow people like him nor people like me to become citizens.” He added, “SALDEF is an organization that not only stands up for all people’s rights, Sikhs specifically, but they also make sure the contract of our country, the Constitution is fulfilled, that the Bill of Rights are fulfilled. It is to those ends that I dedicate my life to public service.” This year’s SALDEF Public Service Award recognized Ms. Sharee Freeman, Director of the United States Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service. Since September 11, 2001 Ms. Freeman has led CRS by vigilantly addressing issues that directly affect the Sikh American Community. In conjunction with SALDEF, CRS has helped educate thousands of law enforcement, airport screeners and security personnel across the country about the Sikh faith. In her acceptance speech, Director Freeman said, “In my mind, an award like this is for those who toil long and hard in communities across the country and who are rarely recognized for their hard work. Those are the people this award is for, not me.” This year’s Dorothy Height Coalition Building Award was presented to the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) for their efforts to build and sustain coalitions within the civil rights community. Ms. Height’s tireless efforts in struggling for equal rights included building bridges among a range of different communities. Accepting the award on behalf of ADC, the Honorable Mary Rose Oakar noted, “The great thing about our country is its diversity, it’s cultural and religious diversity. I thank SALDEF for this award and for its tremendous work on behalf of the Sikh American community.” Recognizing the achievements of a member of the Sikh American community, the Bhagat Singh Thind Community Empowerment Award was presented to Ratanjit Singh Sondhe of Ohio. An internationally renowned chemist, entrepreneur, stress-free expert, author, speaker and consultant, Dr. Sondhe has been an active voice on behalf of the Sikh community through lobbying for legislation and interfaith outreach. Among the guests attending the Banquet was Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX). In her remarks to the congregation the Congresswoman commented, “What an honor to be able to say a decade of service in fighting for equality, respect and dignity that comes when we eliminate discrimination amongst us. I congratulate SALDEF for its special leadership and acknowledge the many honorees that are here today.” Also highlighted during the event was the case of Mr. Jaswant Singh who contacted SALDEF to help resolve a case of employment discrimination with Domino’s Pizza. The statement that was delivered on Mr. Singh’s behalf read, “Soon after I started working [for Domino’s], I was told by the owner of the local franchise that I would not be allowed to wear my turban while working. I was absolutely humiliated by this request and felt that it was a violation of my religious beliefs as a Sikh American.” Thanking SALDEF for addressing this issue, Mr. Singh added, “I am now free to practice my religion openly at work, and I am grateful to SALDEF for working so quickly and diligently on this issue. To read more about Mr. Singh’s case, please click here. Additionally, SALDEF was fortunate to have Mr. Harry Kao and Mr. Paramjitinder Singh Dhillon, of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American Affairs attend and present SALDEF with a citation of commendation from Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell. The citation partially reads, “The growing Sikh American community is part of this vibrant diversity, which is maintained and glorified through our freedom of association and expression and the sense of pride we all hold for our individual heritage. As Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I commend [SALDEF] for everything they have done over the years for the Commonwealth and its citizens.” At the end of the night, SALDEF Interim Managing Director Kavneet Singh specifically highlighted the hard work, dedication and passion of SALDEF’s co-founders Manjit Singh and Jaideep Singh. Kavneet addressed the audience noting that, “It would be a tragedy to not recognize the contributions that [Manjit Singh and Jaideep Singh] have had over the past 10 years as true sevaks (selfless servants).” He went on to thank Manjit Singh and recognize him as one “who has given of his life, his time, and of his whole-being, dedicated solely to the service and the betterment of the Sikh community.” SALDEF would like to thank Congressman Michael Honda, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Canadian Member of Parliament Navdeep Singh Bains, Ms. Sharee Freeman, Ratanjit Singh Sondhe, and the staff of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) for their work and support. SALDEF would also like to thank our many sponsors including Sevatec Inc, the Chardhi Kaala Sikh Community Center, Galaxy Home Furnishings, and the Sikh Education and Charitable Trust for their support, as well as Camille’s Restaurant for catering the affair, our coalition partners and of course the Sikh American community who attended from all across the country.
Issues Apology; Reiterates Religious Accommodation Policy Washington, DC, May 16, 2006 – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) successfully resolved the issue of a Sikh American gentleman who was disallowed from wearing his daastar – or turban — while on the job working as a pizza delivery driver for a Domino’s Pizza franchise in Maryland. Jaswant Singh was hired in 2005 as a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver. Shortly after the start of his employment, he was asked to remove his turban and wear a Domino’s-issued baseball cap. According to the owner of Domino’s Pizza Franchise #4673 in Laurel, Maryland, the directive to Mr. Singh to remove his turban arose out of concerns that Mr. Singh’s hair could fall on the pizza while delivering pizza. Determined not be humiliated and compromise on his religious rights, Mr. Singh contacted SALDEF to address this discriminatory practice and seek recourse on his behalf. In a letter addressed to the General Counsel of Domino’s Pizza, Inc, SALDEF noted that, “We are surprised that a Domino’s manager would take the untenable position that a Domino’s-issued baseball cap, which can easily be taken on and off, would provide more “protection” against food contamination in both preparing and delivering a pizza to a customer than a turban, which cannot be easily taken on and off. It should be apparent that there can be no bona fide occupational requirement justifying Domino’s interference with Mr. Singh’s religious expression as described above.” In a letter to Mr. Singh, Domino’s Pizza General Counsel, Elisa D. Garcia stated: “I apologize for the error made by the GM of store #4673 in asking you to remove your religious turban in the work place. I am pleased that this matter was brought to our attention and that you are able to do your job in a manner that is harmonious with your religious beliefs.” Responding to SALDEF, Ms. Garcia wrote: “Our store manager has been put on notice that [Domino’s] policies accommodate religious expression and [he] is being trained in this area. Domino’s teaches, as part of its Franchise Development program, all franchises about discrimination laws, EEO matters and religious accommodations.” SALDEF thanks Mr. Singh for demonstrating courage of faith and conviction in standing up for his religious rights and not compromising his Sikh identity. SALDEF also thanks Domino’s Pizza for recognizing the Sikh religious turban and congratulates them in reiterating their commitment to religious accommodation in the workplace. If you or anyone else you know has been discriminated in the workplace or while seeking employment, please contact SALDEF immediately at 202-393-2700 or info@saldef.org.
On June 19, 2006 the Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), along with their coalition partners and Sikhs from across North America will gather on Capitol Hill to commemorate SALDEF’s decade of service and achievements as the oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. Join us as we recognize national and state elected officials, youth activists, community leaders, business entrepreneurs, and political appointees who have worked diligently to support the Sikh American Community. Additionally, on June 18, 2006, SALDEF will host the first ever National Sikh Leadership and Empowerment Conference designed to educate and engage young Sikh professionals and students on proven leadership strategies. Sikhs from across the country will converge on the Nation’s Capitol to join National and International Leaders who will discuss proven advocacy strategies which are a vital means of developing the future leaders of the Sikh community. SALDEF National Leadership & Empowerment Conference DATE: June 18, 2006 WHERE: George Washington University TIME: 9:00a – 4:30p SALDEF 2006 Annual Banquet DATE: June 19, 2006 WHERE: Capitol Hill TIME: 7:00p – 9:00p For sponsorship opportunities and participating in SALDEF’s Annual Banquet or Leadership Conference, contact info@saldef.org.
Washington, DC, May 2, 2006 – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) is calling on the Sikh American community to contact us if you or someone you know have experienced delays while undergoing the naturalization process in the United States. According to an article in the San Bernardino County Sun, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudicators are violating regulations in failing to process naturalizations within the mandated 120-day time frame. According to an internal memo cited in the article, some immigrants have waited between ten months to 4 years to go through the naturalization process. SALDEF is working with the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), along with 40 immigration attorneys, who will be filing writs of mandamus on behalf of hundred of immigrants whose petitions for naturalizations have been delayed beyond the mandated 120 day period in order to highlight the immigration problem. In the past, when an immigration attorney filed a writ of mandamus for significantly delayed petitions, their clients were immediately granted naturalization. However this added step in the process significantly increases the cost, and delay, of the naturalization process. SALDEF urges Sikhs that have experienced similar delays in the naturalization process to contact SALDEF immediately either via email info@saldef.org or by phone at 202-393-2700, so that these incidents can be documented and addressed. Please provide information to the following specific questions:
- Are you represented by an immigration attorney?
- Have you filed a petition for naturalization (an N-400)? If so, on what date did you file?
- What is your current status?
- Were you granted a naturalization interview? If so, what was the date of the interview?
- Have you inquired about the status of your naturalization petition? If so, what were you told?
Through this nationwide legal campaign, we hope to call attention to this nationwide problem for immigrants seeking naturalization. PLEASE distribute this to your family, friends and at the local Gurdwara. ### END ###
Sangat members are encouraged to contact their Representatives and Senators. Washington D.C. – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) urge national leaders to support the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act of 1964. Key provisions of the VRA, a historical piece of civil rights legislation, are set to expire on August 6, 2007 Despite the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, southern voter registration boards used poll taxes, literacy tests, and other bureaucratic impediments to deny minorities their legal voting rights. President Lyndon B. Johnson made civil rights one of his administration’s top priorities, using his skill to pass the Twenty-Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which outlawed poll taxes, in 1964. By the late 1960’s the effects of the Voting Rights Act could be seen; 60% of eligible African Americans registered to vote in Mississippi, and other states showed similar improvement. Some of the provisions being threatened include; Section 203 of the VRA requires that certain states and local jurisdictions provide language assistance in languages other than English to voters who are not literate or fluent in English. Also Section 5, which requires certain states and local governments to “preclear” proposed changes in voting or election procedures with the U.S. Department of Justice or U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Voting is a hallmark of a true democracy and we must not let this legislation fall through the cracks. The VRA implemented the safeguards necessary for all minorities and low-income individuals to possess the right to have their vote count as equally as their wealthy counterparts. This is the true nature of America, and we must protect it. SALDEF urges members of the Sikh American community to contact their representatives in the United States Congress to support this vital piece of legislation. To find your U.S. Representatives Click here. To find your U.S. Senator Click Here.
Position Title: Internships—Undergraduate/Graduate Background: Founded as the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) in 1996, SALDEF is a national non-profit civil rights and educational organization. We empower Sikh Americans through four program areas: legal assistance, educational outreach, legislative advocacy and media relations. Summary: SALDEF is seeking interns to assist in all program areas. Duties and responsibilities will include:
- Conducting research and assisting with outreach to the Sikh American community and the general population.
- Working with members of SALDEF Office of Legal Affairs to research and aid in cases and complaints ranging from employment discrimination, racial profiling and religious freedoms protection.
- Attending meetings with elected and appointed government officials in Washington, DC.
- Assisting SALDEF staff with community education and awareness efforts.
- Working directly with community members and local representatives to coordinate grass-roots empowerment efforts.
- Former interns include students from California State University, Fresno; George Mason University; University of California, Berkeley; University of Virginia; Virginia Commonwealth University; and Yale University.
Benefits: Mentorship from civil rights leaders/attorneys. Opportunity to attend events with congressional/coalition partners. College credit can also be for internship has also been arranged in the past for students that are interested in such. Qualifications: Excellent writing/research skills; demonstrated academic achievement; skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications; good work ethic and motivated highly desirable; reliable and consistent internet access; attention to detail a must. Education: Preferred College Juniors, Seniors; Graduate and Professional Students. Location: Washington, DC (preferred but not required). Remote access work is possible. Time: Spring/Summer Semester, Interns are expected to work 10-15 hours per week. Schedules are flexible according to each candidate’s personal commitments. Stipend: TBA; Arrangements may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Deadline: Rolling process until internship spots are filled To Apply: Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, 3-5-page writing sample, and any other supporting materials to: SALDEF info@saldef.org 1413 K. ST, N.W; 5th Floor Washington, DC 20005 Faxes accepted at (202) 318-4433
Newly Designed Spanish Version Also Available Washington D.C. – As 2006 begins, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) has again begun distributing their popular Sikh American pocket calendars.. The glossy, full-color 2006 calendars are ideal for introducing non-Sikhs to Sikh Americans: on one side these full-color calendars include images of Sikhs, along with core Sikh values and facts about Sikhs in the United States; the other side has a 2006 calendar and includes SALDEF’s phone number and web site for further information and reference. Additionally, recognizing the large Spanish-speaking population in the United States, this years calendars have been printed in Spanish as well to further educate this untapped population. Personalized versions of the pocket calendar are also available for order. In place of the SALDEF logo and information above the calendar side, SALDEF is making available to businesses or individuals the opportunity to add their name or business to the cards. These calendars are perfectly sized and ideal to be distributed by community members at their workplace, community meetings, senior citizen centers, convenience stores, gas stations, and through cab drivers. SALDEF is currently distributing the cards in quantities of 100 for $10 plus shipping and handling. Personalized pocket calendars may incur an additional charge and have an order minimum. To order these calendars, please email us at:pubs@saldef.org or by calling 202-393-2700