Phoenix Police Establishes Reward Fund; Sikh Community Urged to Support Reward, Family Funds Phoenix, AZ – Responding to requests from local and federal authorities, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh advocacy group, conducted awareness training for law enforcement officials last week, following the shooting of Avtar Singh Chiera on May 19. Last Friday, May 23, approximately 35 individuals gathered at the Phoenix Police Department headquarters to attend SMART’s awareness training, entitled Sikhism 101: An Introduction to Sikh Beliefs, History, and Culture. Attendees included representatives from the police department, state attorney general’s office, the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service (CRS), and members of the local Sikh community. The training was also attended by representatives from local chapters of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the National Conference on Community and Justice (NCCJ). SMART would like to thank the Community Relations bureau of the Phoenix Police Department for arranging the training session on short notice and the Phoenix-area Sikh community for supporting the Chiera family following this unfortunate incident. The individuals responsible for the apparently hate-motivated attack against Mr. Chiera are still at-large. Two funds have been established following the shooting. The Chiera family is facing financial hardship as a result of this crime. Mr. Chiera has no health insurance and will be unable to work for a while. The community can contribute to the Chiera family fund by sending donations directly to the following address: FUND FOR AVTAR SINGH, A SIKH HATE CRIME Bank of America Mail Code AZ3-125-01-01 3246 East Bell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85032 A second fund has also been established by the Phoenix Police Department through the Silent Witness Reward program, aimed at encouraging witnesses to come forth anonymously with information that may lead to an eventual arrest and conviction of the shooting suspects. Contributions to the Silent Witness Reward fund can be made through an online donation to SMART, or by sending donations directly to the following address: SIKH COMMUNITY AID FUND Memo: Avtar Singh Reward Program 2313 N. Richland Street Phoenix, Arizona 85006 Since learning about the shooting from a regional SMART representative early on the morning of May 20, SMART immediately informed local, state and federal authorities to ensure a thorough investigation. SMART representatives spoke individually with the following folks to ensure a coordinated effort: the FBI Squad Leader; Phoenix Police Department Detectives; United States Assistant Attorney General, Arizona; and Director of the United States Department of Justice, Community Relations Service. Recent news reports indicate hate crimes against those perceived to be Muslim or Arab in the United States have been on the rise since the beginning of the war in Iraq. Therefore, SMART encourages Sikh Americans to do outreach, increase civic participation and become active in their communities.
SMART Conducts Awareness Training for Phoenix Police
These days, when Mehar Mehal ties his turban to go out of the house, his thoughts are of a former Bay Area taxi driver, Balbir Singh Sodhi . . . and a new movie, “DisFunktional Family.” “I think when you tie a turban as a Sikh, at the back of your mind you are thinking you’ve got to be careful,” said Mehal, a Santa Clara engineer. “You could get hurt, you could get killed.” Balbir Singh Sodhi, if you can’t quite place him, is the gas station owner who was shot to death in Arizona shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, allegedly by a man proclaiming his patriotism. Sodhi was wearing a turban that the suspect associated with terrorists. “DisFunktional Family” is a concert movie starring the comedian Eddie Griffin, an “equal-opportunity comic who gets laughs at everyone’s expense,” according to the movie studio, Miramax. Where the two intersect, Sikhs like Mehal believe, is a scene in the film and its trailer, in which Griffin points to a turbaned elderly Sikh man walking on the street and shouts, “Bin Laden, I knew you was around here!” It’s just one of many gags in the movie that features Griffin’s take on life and celebrity, interspersed with interviews with his family. Griffin goes after his mother, too. Palpable worry But no one’s going to go after Mrs. Griffin because of this movie. Mehal, in contrast, warns his 67-year-old turbaned father to be careful on his daily walks. That’s why since February, when the trailers first surfaced in movie theaters, Sikh organizations such as the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force have tried to work with Miramax to see the movie first and temper such scenes. Not censor, says Preetmohan Singh, director of the Washington, D.C., office of Sikh Mediawatch. They know about the Constitution and freedom of expression, Singh said. “But corporations need to demonstrate corporate and moral responsibility.” Singh, a San Jose native, has a healthy respect for the First Amendment. After all, he won a San Jose Mercury News scholarship and was a standout in a South Bay journalism program called Mosaic. At age 24, he is hip, urban and squarely in the demographic that would see the movie. He’s not exactly a humorless activist. Miramax wouldn’t screen the movie for Sikh Mediawatch before the April 4 release and wouldn’t meet to discuss it, Singh said. He notes that studios have shown restraint when it suits them, delaying some films that might be perceived as too close to real events, and therefore insensitive. We can all use a good laugh in these times, Singh says. But since the Sept. 11 attacks, and again since the Iraq war began, Sikhs have been in the awkward position of having to tell the public what Sikhs are. Or, rather, what Sikhs are not. They are not Arab. They are not Muslim. (Not that anyone should be attacked because they are.) But if you see men wearing turbans in North America, they are probably Sikhs, because the turban is an emblem of their religion. Harpreet Singh of the Sikh Coalition said that a few days after the war began, a man with a big American flag on his truck spat repeatedly on Singh’s car while they were in bumper-to-bumper traffic between New York and Washington. “It hurt, because . . . I lost friends and people I knew in 9/11,” said Singh, 28. Worse, it made him feel very vulnerable on that highway. Who’s reasonable? But Miramax doesn’t get it. “Reasonable people,” Miramax’s official response to the group said, would not associate Sikhs with Osama bin Ladin, and besides, plenty of people of other faiths wear turbans. “Family,” fortunately, seems to be fading on its own, failing to crack the Top 10 in ticket sales its first week. Still, Sikhs want Miramax to remove the scene from distribution on post-theater versions on DVD or VHS. “This is not over,” promises Preetmohan Singh. “And it is not because we’re mad.” It’s because they’re scared.
Possible backlash against those perceived to be Muslim, Arab or Middle-Eastern Washington, DC, — Following President Bush’s remarks to the nation last night about the developments in Iraq, Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) is cautioning the Sikh American community to take extra safety measures to safeguard themselves, their property and their local Gurdwara from possible backlash if war breaks out in the Middle East. Recent news reports (F.B.I. Warns of Possible Hate Crimes in United States, NYT 3/13/03) indicate hate crimes against those perceived to be Muslim, Arab or Middle-Eastern in the United States have been on the rise. SMART would like to emphasize that this advisory is issued purely as a precautionary measure. A hate crime is targeted criminal activity, motivated by prejudice based on perceived immutable personal characteristics of the victims. Hostile or hateful speech and actions motivated by prejudice are termed hate or bias incidents. These motivations may include race, religion, ethnicity or national origin, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation. Hate incidents become crimes only when they directly incite perpetrators to commit violence against persons or property, or if they place a potential victim in reasonable fear of physical injury. If you or anyone you know, becomes the victim of a hate incident, please report it immediately at http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/incident/incidentreport.htm. SMART has relationships with law enforcement agencies across the nation and will ensure that the appropriate agency is notified of the incident. You can also contact SMART toll free at 877-91-SIKHS (1-877-917-4547). To help the community better respond to an incident, SMART 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. SMART URGES EVERYONE TO EXERCISE COMMON SENSE AND RELY ON THEIR OWN BEST JUDGMENT, BUT OFFERS THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS: (Link no longer available).
WASHINGTON, DC – FBI Director Robert Mueller met with leaders of national Sikh, Arab and Muslim organizations on Friday, Feb. 28 to discuss the rise in hate crimes and racial profiling of these communities in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The meeting was the latest in a series of meetings organized by the FBI with leaders of organizations who have been responding to post-September 11 bias incidents.
The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), the oldest national Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, addressed the possible increase in hate crimes in the next few months due to the looming war with Iraq and the need for the Bureau to aggressively investigate all reported bias incidents.
“Protecting the civil rights of all Americans remains a top priority for the FBI,” said Mueller. “I”m vitally concerned that the rights of Muslim, Sikh and Arab Americans be protected. The FBI stands prepared to take strong and immediate action against hate crimes in the event of any anti-Arab American backlash to world events.”
The FBI said its response to hate crimes has sent a clear message that hate crimes will not be tolerated. To date, the FBI reportedly has initiated 414 hate crime investigations involving Muslim, Sikh, and Arab-American victims, with 17 persons being charged federally thus far. Additionally, some 129 persons have been charged with state and local crimes in connection with these investigations.
The director also stressed the importance of strengthening relationships and improving cultural sensitivity. “We can”t do it without you,” Director Mueller said.
SMART encouraged the FBI to conduct religious and cultural awareness workshops at its training academy and at field offices across the country. Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks SMART has conducted such trainings for numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. SMART also asked the FBI director to establish a relationship with the Sikh community to ensure that hate crimes are accurately reported nationwide.
Others attending the meeting were representatives of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, the Arab American Institute, the Islamic Institute, the American Muslim Council, and the Muslim Public Affairs Council.
Washington, DC — On February 12, 2003, SMART issued a press release on the 1985 Air India bombing case, which contained some factual errors. The following is an excerpt from the agreed statement of facts submitted in the British Columbia Supreme Court when Inderjit Singh Reyat pleaded guilty Feb. 10 to 329 counts of manslaughter in the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182: “In May and June 1985, in the province of British Columbia, Mr. Reyat acquired various materials for the purpose of aiding others in the making of the explosive devices. Although Mr. Reyat acquired materials for this purpose, he did not make or arm an explosive device, nor did he place an explosive device on an airplane, nor does he know who did or did not do so. At no time did Mr. Reyat intend by his actions to cause death to any person or believe that such consequences were likely to occur.” Our press release incorrectly stated that Mr. Inderjit Singh Reyat “admitted he assisted others in plotting the bombing of an Air India Boeing 747 over the Atlantic Ocean in June 1985.” We apologize to Mr. Reyat, his family, and to the Sikh community for this error. Our intention was to represent Sikh values to the broader public and convey to them that violence directed against innocent civilians are never permissible under our value system. We have since retracted the press release.
SMART urges the Sikh communities in California to call the office of the San Francisco Mayor and Police Department Washington, DC – Sukhpal Singh Sodhi, a San Francisco cab driver, was murdered in the early hours of Sunday August 4, while driving home. Sukhpal Singh was the brother of Balbir Singh Sodhi, who was murdered in Arizona in the aftermath of 9/11. Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh advocacy group, contacted the FBI and urged it to investigate the killing as a possible hate crime. SMART is very concerned by news reports quoting San Francisco Police Department detectives as saying, “the investigation is in the preliminary stage,” and who also simultaneously concluded that “we don’t believe this is a hate crime at all.” These statements indicate that the police department has unfortunately concluded that Sukhpal Singh’s murder is not a hate crime prior to conducting an aggressive and complete investigation. SMART would like to see those responsible for this crime brought to justice irrespective of their motives. However, SMART urges the Sikh communities in California to write or call the office of the San Francisco Mayor and Police Department and urge them to fully investigate this killing as a possible hate crime. Willie L. Brown, Jr., Mayor City Hall, Room 200 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: (415) 554-6141 Fax: (415) 252-3107 (TDD) Email: damayor@sfgov.org San Francisco Police Department Public Affairs Office 850 Bryant Street San Francisco, CA 94103-4603 Phone: (415) 533-1651 Fax: (415) 553-1554 Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to call the San Francisco Police Department’s homicide division at (415) 431-2127. SMART will keep the community informed about any developments in this case and on the progress of the investigation. About SMART: Founded in 1996 to promote the fair and accurate portrayal of Sikh Americans and the Sikh religion in American media and society, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, member based organization. Its mission is to combat bigotry and prejudice, protect the rights and religious freedoms of Sikh Americans, and provide resources that empower the Sikh American community.
Sikh businessman claims bank denied him CD account By Arun Venugopal May 31, 2002 A Sikh businessman and operator of two Burger King franchises, including one near Ground Zero, has filed suit against Fleet National Bank, charging it denied him the opportunity to open a $250,000 certificate of deposit at a Fleet branch because of his appearance. “My civil rights were violated,” said Inderjeet Singh Chowdhary, who wears a turban and facial hair in accordance with his faith. “I have certain rights as a customer and in my opinion I had all the qualifications. I’m a resident and a citizen of this country.” On Aug. 21, Chowdhary visited Fleet Bank’s Carteret, N.J., branch with plans to open a 15-month certificate of deposit, according to the suit. He said he had discussed the matter beforehand with branch manager Alicia Eagleston. After he arrived and began filling out the paperwork with a teller, the transaction was cut short when Eagleston allegedly called the teller to her desk, the suit said. Eagleston declined to comment. The teller informed Chowdhary, 44, that he would not be allowed to apply for a certificate of deposit, according to the suit. Chowdhary claims in his lawsuit that Eagleston initially refused to give him an answer, but finally said that as the branch manager she had the right to look at a customer and decide who can and who cannot open a certificate of deposit. The racial discrimination lawsuit was filed in Middlesex County, N.J., Superior Court last week. Fleet maintains that Chowdhary never produced appropriate documentation but didn’t specify what was missing. The bank also said he arrived too late in the day to process the application – though Chowdhary said he showed up at the time specified. “There were a lot of other people in the bank that day and people felt maybe that I’d done something wrong. I felt very bad,” he said. “I felt humiliated.” Over the next week, Chowdhary said he wrote letters to Eagleston and Fleet’s customer care department, requesting an explanation. But it was only in January, after Chowdhary began communicating through his attorney, that Fleet responded. “We have twice in writing offered to open the account in question and we have not yet received a response from Mr. Chowdhary,” said Jim Schepker, a spokesman for Fleet. However, Ravinder Bhalla, an attorney representing Chowdhary, said the offer was inadequate and too late. “They’re not offering anything that’s not [readily] available,” Bhalla said. Fleet has previously encountered claims of racial discrimination, from employees and customers. In 1996, the Justice Department charged the company with unfair lending practices to lower-income minorities. And in the early ’90s, female and minority workers sued over wage discrepancies. But Fleet dismisses any allegations of racial insensitivity in this case. “Our record stands for itself. We recently received an outstanding rating from the CRA, the Community Reinvestment Act,” said Schepker, referring to a program by federal regulators that evaluates banks on how well they serve low- and moderate-income communities. “That’s the highest possible rating and puts us in fewer than the top 8 percent of banks. If the charge is that we discriminate, the CRA rating clearly indicates we have non-discriminatory practices.” Still, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, a Washington-based advocacy group, is issuing a news release today in support of Chowdhary. The group, which calls itself SMART and became more active after Sept. 11, also may organize a nationwide boycott of Fleet by South Asian and Asian-Pacific communities if the bank does not address the situation to its satisfaction. Discrimination against Sikhs “is a problem that’s been in existence for a while and it’s not something that started with 9/11,” said Navtej Khalsa, associate director of the advocacy group. Sikhs are sometimes targeted because to the uninformed, they look like they could be of Middle Eastern descent. “But since 9/11, the problem has only gotten worse. That includes people not being hired or being laid off. Or not being serviced at a restaurant or other establishments.” Arun Venugopal is a freelance writer. Newsday
Washington, DC — The DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) will hold its annual career expo to showcase the department’s operations and to recruit new officers including, for the first time, Sikh recruits to the department. After meetings with Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Taskforce (SMART) representatives on inclusion of Sikhs on the force, DC Police Chief Ramsey has publicly stated he would welcome Sikhs to serve in the police department. SMART considers this is a move in the right direction and a victory for Sikh Americans. On behalf of all Sikh Americans SMART thanks Police Chief Ramsey for his commitment to having an inclusive and diverse police force reflective of the local population. SMART encourages all Sikhs in the DC metro area who are interested in career with the DC police department to attend the expo. Recruiters will be on-site to provide more information on career opportunities as a police officer. Provisions have been made for those interested to take both the written and physical abilities tests. The written test will be held at the convention center and the physical test will be held at the Training Academy. The career expo will be held: WHERE: Washington DC Convention Center WHEN: April 27, 2002 from 9 am – 5 pm Minimum Job Requirements: To qualify for the position of police officer you must: 1. Be a US citizen at the time of application 2. Have reached the age of 20 years and six months at the time of application and have reached the age of 21 years at the time of appointment 3. Possess at least 20/100 vision, correctable to 20/30 in both eyes 4. Pass a written test 5. Pass the following physical requirements equipped as a police officer: – Run an obstacle course – Run serpentine course – Run up/down stairs – Drag 160 pound mannequin 30 feet – Run under a table – Run and jump over a fence – ID “suspect” after “pursuit” – Dry fire point and shoot 6. Pass a medical examination, including being of proportionate weight and height 7. Pass a psychological examination and drug-screening test 8. Possess a high moral character for carrying out law enforcement duties 9. Possess a valid driver’s license at the time of application 10. Have a high school diploma or a certificate of equivalency issued by a recognized department of education Residency Requirements: MPDC officers do not have to reside in DC; however, there is a residency preference that adds points to the rating and ranking score of qualified candidates who live in the District of Columbia. While police officers are not required to live in the District of Columbia, all applicants selected for police officer positions must certify that they will establish residence within a 25 mile radius of the United States Capitol building within 180 days from the date of graduation from the police training academy. More detailed information is available at: http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/site/default.asp or by contacting the department at: Metropolitan Police Department Office of Recruiting 300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 2169 Washington, DC 20001 (202) 727-2767 (800) 994-MPDC (6732)
SMART, Fleet Bank Reach Historic Agreement to Provide Improved Services to Sikh American Community, Reaffirms Commitment to Diversity and to Accommodate Sikh Religious Practices Washington, DC — A leading national Sikh advocacy group and the nation’s seventh largest retail financial institution, reached a broad-reaching agreement in which Fleet reaffirmed its commitment to diversity, including its existing policy of accomodating Sikh religious practices, and providing improved services to the Sikh community. Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force and FleetBoston Financial Corp., signed the joint agreement as part of a discrimination lawsuit settlement filed by a Sikh American customer. SMART, Inderjeet Singh Chowdhary, and Fleet Bank have been in negotiations since May last year, when Chowdhary, a Carteret, N.J., businessman filed a lawsuit against Fleet after being denied a CD account. Fleet Bank’s settlement of Chowdhary’s discrimination claim coincided with an agreement with SMART. Highlights of the agreement: • Fleet agrees to educate key employees about Sikh Americans. • Fleet pledges to promptly investigate discrimination allegations by its customers or employees. • Fleet commits to educate all its employees on the importance of diversity and its anti-discrimination policies. • Fleet agrees to develop personal, business and financial solutions tailored to address needs of the New Jersey Sikh community. • Fleet agrees to continue work with SMART to identify recipients of appropriate event sponsorship and funding programs designed to assist Sikh American charitable and community development organizations. The two parties will explore possible assistance to non-profit Sikh American charitable organizations with funding from the bank. • Fleet agrees to work cooperatively with SMART in the future to assist in the pre-litigation resolution of any religious discrimination claims made by any Sikh employee or customer against Fleet. SMART will provide Fleet with informational material about the Sikh faith, Sikh Americans and their religious practices to be incorporated in Fleet’s employee diversity training program. The Washington, DC–based advocacy group will also provide training and education to Fleet employees. Plans are underway for a presentation to Fleet’s New Jersey branch and district managers aimed at informing them about the Sikh community. “SMART is satisfied that Fleet has agreed to take these affirmative steps in addressing the Sikh American community’s concerns. We appreciate Fleet’s resolute effort during the negotiations.” said SMART’s Executive Director, Navtej S. Khalsa. “With this historic agreement as a blueprint SMART plans to enter into similar agreements with other corporations.”
Baltimore, M.D.– The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh civil rights advocacy group, conducted an educational seminar December 7, 2001 for the Director and employees of the Department of Justice Community Relations Service. Trainers from the Baltimore Police Department and members of various Maryland County Human Relations Commissions were also in attendance. This presentation was part of SMART’s ongoing efforts to educate federal government and local law enforcement agencies about Sikhism, explain how the events of September 11, 2001’s terrorist attacks affected the Sikh community, and possible solutions to address the concerns of Sikh Americans. The presentation offered a brief tutorial about the history and theology of the Sikh faith, but primarily focused on breaking down common stereotypes and mis-perceptions of Sikh Americans. In addition, the SMART presenter offered attendees possible solutions to address the issues facing the Sikh Americans community while still maintaining important security measures now in place across the nation. The presentation also highlighted the five articles of faith, giving special attention to the kirpan and turban. Additionally time was devoted to explaining the difference between Sikhs, and other commonly associated religions and cultural groups, stressing Sikh’s separate identity from Hindus, Muslims, and especially the Taliban. SMART believes that the most effective way to prevent further incidents of harassment of Sikh Americans, especially regarding domestic security issues, is continued education about Sikhism to federal agencies and local authorities.