Washington, DC – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) alarmed by the current campaign associating the wearing of a turban and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) with terrorism. SALDEF, ADC and over 100 national and local organizations (see full list below) are strongly opposed to a recent flyer campaign launched by the Nutritional Health Alliance (NHA) depicting Senator Durbin wearing a turban with the words, “Keep Congressional Terrorism at Bay.” “ While we are aware of legitimate political differences in the debate on supplement regulation, the flyer produced by the NHA transgresses the boundaries of both legitimate and civil political discourse. The flyer serves as nothing more than hatemongering and uses stereotypes to support its point of view. We are disappointed that NHA would be engaged in the production of such a racist flyer that serves to perpetuate an increased environment of prejudice and hate against the Sikh, Muslim and Arab American communities . The flyer, which can be viewed here, makes an explicitly false correlation between individuals who wear turbans and terrorism or terrorist activities. It also attacks Senator Durbin and associates him with terrorism. The turban is a mandatory article of faith for the Sikh community. Adherents of the Sikh faith are required by their religion to keep uncut hair and cover their head with a turban. Additionally, many Muslims and Arabs wear turbans for cultural reasons. The turban is a sign of respect, dignity and humility and should not be associated with terrorism or terrorist activity. SALDEF, ADC and the other cosponsors urge the NHA to remove the flyer from any further distribution immediately. We further ask that a public apology be made and posted on the NHA’s website. Legitimate public debate must not be tainted with images that continue to create a dangerous environment of xenophobia and hate against innocent Sikh, Muslim, Arab and South Asian Americans. Click here to read the letter to the Nutritional Health Alliance Click here to read the letter to Senator Durbin
Over 100 National and Local Organizations join SALDEF and ADC in Opposition
For Immediate Release December 6, 2005 Contact: Kavneet Singh info@saldef.org 202-393-2700 SALDEF Urges Passage of Religious Freedom Legislation Washington, DC – Last month the House Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations held a briefing on the Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2005 (WRFA). This piece of legislation would provide greater protection against discrimination for people of faith. WRFA will require employers to reasonably accommodate the religious needs of their employees in the workplace. Typical examples covered by WRFA include allowing for religious clothing (such as turbans, yarmulkes, and head-scarves) and for flexible scheduling arrangements to facilitate holiday observances (such as agreeing to work on another holiday in order to observe Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year). “Sikh men are already being discriminated against due to the American public not knowing who they are,” stated Congressman Mark E. Souder (R-IN), co-sponsor of the bill, in a statement proclaiming the need for such legislation to be passed. The hearing was preceded by a Press Conference organized by the Work Place Religious Freedom Coalition, of which SALDEF is an active member. “Since September 11, 2001 Sikh Americans have been mistakenly associated with terrorism and criminal activity,” stated SALDEF Associate Director Rajbir Singh Datta. “Unfortunately this perception has made its way into our nation’s places of employment and the threat of increased discrimination continues to persist.” Mr. Datta added, “Sikhs have been terminated from their jobs due to their turbans, beards, and/or articles of faith. As Americans, we all must advocate for religious freedom everywhere, because people of faith must never be told to check their religion at the door.” Testifying at the briefing were; House co-sponsors Congressman Souder (R-IN) and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY); along with a second panel including, Richard Foltin, Esq., Legislative Director and Counsel, American Jewish Committee; Dr. Richard Land, President, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention; Samuel A. Marcosson, Associate Dean and Professor of Law, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law; and Camille A. Olson, Esq., Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP. If you would like to learn more about this bill or SALDEF’s efforts in protection religious liberties for all Americans, please, contact us at info@saldef.org. To view a partial list of SALDEF’s past legislative efforts, please see below: SALDEF Conducts Congressional Visits on Religious Freedoms Legislation SALDEF Congratulates House for Passing Hate Crimes Bill SALDEF Testifies at California Assembly Hearings about Sikh Americans SALDEF Welcomes Senate Approval of Strengthened Hate Crimes Legislation
Washington, DC – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, applauds members of the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEEA). The bill was approved, with 223 votes for and 199 against, as an amendment to the Children’s Safety Act of 2005. The legislation, which still must pass through the Senate and be signed by the President, is critical to the Sikh American Community. The LLEEA is intended to strengthen the ability of federal, state, and local governments to investigate and prosecute hate crimes based on race, ethnic background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. The bill helps state and local anti-bias efforts by enabling the Justice Department to assist them in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. “Hate violence is rooted in prejudice and is meant to intimidate entire communities,” said Mirin Kaur Phool, SALDEF President. “Sikh Americans have long suffered from violence based on discrimination, and although legislation cannot expunge hate from our society, this bill sends a clear message that these insidious acts of violence run counter to America’s promise of freedom and tolerance.” The bill will also allow the federal government greater ability to aid local and state agency efforts in prosecuting, investigating, and preventing hate crimes. The House bill had strong bipartisan support and was endorsed by more than 175 law enforcement, civil rights, civic, and religious organizations, including SALDEF. The similar bill currently pending in the Senate has 44 co-sponsors, and SALDEF strongly supports this bill as well.
Over the past several months, representatives of the Work Place Religious Freedom Coalition, of which SALDEF is an active participant, have met with numerous Congressional representatives on the importance of religious freedom in the workplace. The meetings were held to encourage House members to support the Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA) of 2005 (Senate Bill 677/House Bill 1445. This legislation is designed to reinstate protections in America’s civil rights laws which encourage employers to reasonably accommodate the religious needs of their employees in the workplace. The meetings were held with Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA-11), Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (CO-4), Rep. Jon Doolittle (CA-4), Rep. Ron Lewis (KY-2), Rep. Tom Delay (TX-22), Rep Wally Herger (CA-2), Rep. W. Todd Akin (MI-2), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) as well a personal meeting with Rep. Tom Tancredo (CO-6), among others. At present, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (amended 1972) allows employers to fire employees if they can prove that they bear an “undue hardship” for providing accommodation for an employees religious practices. This term has come to mean any minimal discomfort; a very low test. As any attorney knows, this amendment has shifted protection away from people of faith. The Workplace Religious Freedom Act, would amend Title VII to say that employers must accommodate an employees’ religious practices so long as it does not produce, “significant difficulty or expense.” This legislation is vital to Sikhs since there have been numerous cases of employment discrimination due to wearing a turban and beard. It will force employers to accommodate and work with people of all faiths whom are being discriminated against simply for their religion. With the help of SALDEF and the WRFA Coalition, we hope to gain more protections for people of all faiths.
On April 28, representatives of Asian Pacific American organizations, including SALDEF, met with the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee to discuss issues affecting the APA community. The meeting was chaired by Senator Hillary Clinton (NY) and attended by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (NV), was also attended by Senators Daniel Akaka (HI) and Byron Dorgan (ND). Also in attendance were Congressmen Xavier Becerra (D-CA) and Mike Honda (D-CA). The meeting was organized by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), of which SALDEF is a member. In light of pending legislation, the group discussed issues related to social security, immigration, civil rights, health care, and education. SALDEF National Director Preetmohan Singh highlighted legislation called the REAL ID Act which would place restrictions on drivers licenses and change asylum laws. SALDEF appreciates the Senate Democrats recognition of these important issues to the Sikh and broader Asian American community and hopes to meet with Republican leaders in the near future.
SALDEF Conducts Congressional Briefing, Urges Sikh Americans to Contact Congress about Religious Freedom April 8, 2005–A critical piece of legislation for the Sikh American community, the Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA) of 2005 (Senate Bill 677/House Bill 1445), is again being considered in Congress. This legislation is designed to reinstate protections in America’s civil rights laws which encourage employers to reasonably accommodate the religious needs of their employees in the workplace. Today, SALDEF’s National Director, Preetmohan Singh, conducted his third briefing in six months for congressional staff along with leaders from other civil rights and religious liberties organizations. SALDEF is encouraging the community to immediately contact their representatives in Congress and urge them to support this bill (see sample letter below). Typical issues that would be affected by this legislation include allowing for religious attire (such as turbans, yarmulkes, and head-scarves) and for flexible scheduling arrangements to facilitate holiday observances (such as agreeing to work on an Easter holiday in order to observe Vaisakhi). The legislation is bipartisan in support with Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and John Kerry (D-MA) serving as its lead sponsors in the Senate, along with 13 other Senators. The House currently has six co-sponsors, with Representatives Mark Souder (R-IN) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) leading the way. WRFA is also supported by a diverse coalition of more than 45 religious and civil rights organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, National Council of Churches, Southern Baptist Convention, National Council of Muslim Women, Seventh Day Adventist Church and many others. We urge you to contact your members of the House and Senate today and relay to them the importance of supporting the Workplace Religious Freedom Act. Please telephone, fax, and/or e-mail (listed in the order or importance) your representatives about WRFA, especially if they have not cosponsored this legislation already. You can contact your representatives in the House and Senate by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. The names and contact information for elected representatives can be found at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov. Regular mail is still being diverted for screening before it can be delivered to Capitol Hill, so do not use this method. Please inform SALDEF at legislation@saldef.org with your name, state, and the representative(s) you contact. To learn more about this bill and its cosponsors, please click here http://thomas.loc.gov and type in “Workplace Religious Freedom Act.” SAMPLE Message to Members of Congress: My name is [_____] and I reside at [home address, city, state, zip]. As my elected representative, I would like to urge you to cosponsor the Workplace Religious Freedom Act (H.R.1445/S.677.) As a Sikh American, I believe WRFA provides a solution to two of the most important issues for members of our community in the workplace: religious dress and flexible scheduling. With WRFA intact, we can avoid repeating situations where Sikh Americans have had to engage in expensive litigation to receive reasonable accommodation at minimal or no cost to employers. WRFA also provides that accommodation needed only be provided to an employee who is able to perform the essential functions of the job. As you may know, according the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), charges relating to race, gender, and national origin grew by 15 percent in the past decade, while those involving religion increased by over 80 percent. This spike in religious claims was particularly severe after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when Sikh Americans and others faced greater hostility at the workplace. The bill is a fundamental step toward protecting religious liberty and I hope you will support it. Sincerely, [Your Name]
SMART’s National Director Preetmohan Singh recently conducted two congressional briefings to discuss the impact of the pending Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA) on the Sikh American community. This legislation (Senate Bill 893) will require employers to reasonably accommodate the religious needs of their employees in the workplace. Typical examples covered by WRFA include allowing for religious clothing (such as turbans, yarmulkes, and head-scarves) and for flexible scheduling arrangements to facilitate holiday observances (such as agreeing to work on another holiday in order to observe Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year). Mr. Singh conducted the briefings on Capitol Hill with leaders from the Christian, Jewish, and other civil rights organizations. If you would like to learn more about this bill, please see SMART’s Action Alert. If you would like to become more active with SMART’s legislative efforts, please email us at legislation@sikhmediwatch.org.
SMART representatives recently attended meetings to discuss legislative priorities with members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). SMART met with Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), the newly-elected chair of CAPAC, and Rob Leonard, Legislative Aide for Congressman Robert Matsui (D-CA). Attendees at both meetings referred to the 2004 National Council of Asian Pacific Americans’ (NCAPA) Call to Action platform. SMART discussed issues such as hate crimes, racial profiling, and workplace religious freedom issues. Others attending the meeting included representatives of the National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium, and representatives from Japanese American Citizens League, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO and Hmong National Development. SMART has participated in multiple Congressional hearings and town hall meetings sponsored by CAPAC members last year and looks forward to continuing that relationship in the future.
Washington, DC – SMART today applauded the Senate for approving the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA) as an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill on Tuesday. If enacted, the amendment would strengthen existing hate crimes laws to ensure coverage for all communities affected by hate violence. The amendment also provides grants for state and local hate crime prevention programs, and gives the federal government greater power to assist state and local authorities to properly investigate and prosecute hate crimes. The amendment, offered by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR.), passed by an overwhelming 65-33 vote. “By supporting this amendment, the Senate has sent a clear message that hate crimes will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said SMART National Director Preetmohan Singh. “Even before the flurry of post-9/11 hate crimes affecting the Sikh American and other communities, we were working in coalition to pass this legislation. We will continue to support this bill on behalf of all Americans as it moves through the legislative process.” The bill will next be considered in conference with the House of Representatives. The LLEEA strengthens the federal hate crimes statute by removing obstacles to federal prosecution. Current hate crimes law leaves federal prosecutors powerless to intervene in bias-motivated crimes when they cannot also establish that the crime was committed because of the victim’s involvement in a “federally-protected activity” such as serving on a jury, attending a public school, or voting. If the LLEEA is enacted, federal assistance will also be offered to state and local law enforcement officials for the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes in the federal categories, and grants will be given for training in local law enforcement.
Legislation Would Curb Racial Profiling through Data Collection, Training Washington, DC – Introduction of the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004 (ERPA) in Congress last week was welcomed by the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART). The legislation, launched with bipartisan support in the House (H.R. 3847) and the Senate (S. 2132), would curb profiling by law enforcement officials on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity or national origin. “Racial profiling is a serious issue for the approximately half a million Sikhs in the United States,” said SMART National Director Preetmohan Singh. “Prior to 9/11, we supported efforts to combat racial profiling which predominantly targeted African Americans and Latinos. Unfortunately, this ineffective practice has broadened since the terrorist attacks. Sikh Americans, along with others who are or appear to be Arab, Muslim, or South Asian, are being unfairly targeted by law enforcement.” The practice of racial profiling occurs when law enforcement relies on race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion in selecting which individuals to subject to routine or spontaneous investigatory activities in the absence of a specific suspect deXion. ERPA builds on the Department of Justice’s 2003 guidelines prohibiting racial profiling. At least two dozen states have adopted similar initiatives. ERPA would institute a general prohibition on profiling based on race, religion, ethnicity or national origin by federal, state or local law enforcement. The legislation was introduced in the House by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) and in the Senate by Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI). ERPA would define racial profiling, as well as institute data collection systems to identify and track racial profiling, which would help repair frayed relations between police and minority communities. Additionally the bill would make grants available to police departments for in-car video cameras, police training and portable computer systems. SMART, the nation’s oldest national Sikh American civil rights organization, sent a letter supporting the bill to all members of the House and the Senate. SMART’s letter stated, “We have no doubt that the overwhelming majority of law enforcement agents conduct their duties in an honorable fashion. Nevertheless, research from around the nation has concluded that profiling by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies is widespread, and that, despite the efforts of some states and local law enforcement agencies to address this problem, federal legislation is necessary.” SMART worked with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR), a broad coalition of 180 national civil rights groups, to draft a bill that will address national security and improve public safety while ending racial profiling. SMART is the only Sikh American member organization of LCCR, the nation’s oldest and largest umbrella civil rights organization. SMART will continue to mobilize the Sikh American community to urge this Congress to enact ERPA into law this year.