Sikh Organization Mentioned Prominently during Consideration Washington, DC – During the floor consideration of a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives condemning bigotry and violence against Sikh Americans and other groups affected by post-9/11 backlash, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) was commended for its work on hate crimes education and prevention. In his address on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, Representative Joseph Crowley (D-NY), stated, “During July, I held a Congressional briefing as the Co-Chair of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans about the rise of hate crimes against South Asians. A representative of Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) attended this briefing and spoke with Members of Congress on the importance of educating people so they understand the culture and will be less likely to participate in a hate crime. I commend SMART’s efforts to work not only the Sikh community but with all communities affected by hate crimes.” Furthermore, SMART’s President, Manjit Singh, met with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi yesterday to discuss issues affecting the Sikh American and other South Asian communities. He discussed the continued problem of hate crimes and employment related discrimination against Sikh Americans, along with Americans from and perceived to be from the Middle-East, in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack. For instance, in the 15 months between September 11th and December 11, 2002, the EEOC received 705 complaints. Mr. Singh also brought attention to the increasing reports of racial profiling of Sikhs and other minorities by law enforcement under the guise of “national security” using the USA PATRIOT Act. He urged the House Democratic leadership to address these issues by supporting the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, designed to ensure that employers will accommodate the religious practices of their employees, and the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act. In response to the House passing the resolution H.234, condemning bigotry and violence against Sikh Americans and other groups, Singh stated, “This resolution strongly condemns hate-motivated violence and will inform all Americans about these insidious acts of violence. We now call upon Congress to take the next step and enact the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act. This legislation, now pending before both houses of Congress, would enable the U.S. Department of Justice to assist local investigation and prosecution of bias-motivated incidents in certain cases.” SMART extends its gratitude to Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), the sponsor of this House resolution, and thanks Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) for their statements of support urging their colleagues to pass the resolution. In July, SMART wrote to Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, urging him to schedule floor action on the measure. SMART worked with Senators and their constituents to pass a similar resolution by the US Senate in May.
SMART Applauds House Resolution Condemning Hate Crimes, Meets with Minority Leader
Jury Rejects Insanity Plea in Arizona case Mesa, AZ — A jury yesterday found Frank Roque guilty of first-degree murder for his slaying of Balbir Singh Sodhi. Roque murdered Sodhi during a rampage four days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which included shootings at those who were, or appeared to be Middle Eastern. Mr. Singh, a 49-year-old immigrant from India, wore a turban and beard in accordance with his Sikh faith when he was shot outside his gas station. Manjit Singh, President of the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights organization, said, “The Sodhi family has endured a great deal for the last two years following Balbir’s death. This honest, hard-working man was killed simply because of the way he looked. We hope this conviction will shed light on the persisting problem of hate crimes which are rooted in ignorance and intimidate entire communities.” Although Roque’s defense attorneys mounted an insanity defense, jurors apparently were swayed by the prosecution’s evidence that Roque’s attack was motivated by hatred and bias. The jury also found Roque guilty of five other charges, including attempted murder and reckless endangerment, related to drive-by shootings at other individuals he perceived to be Middle Eastern. The case will enter a second phase of the trial on Thursday, with jurors determining whether Roque is eligible for the death penalty. Singh stated that his organization has noticed an increase in hate crimes since the war in Iraq. Furthermore, he said that SMART recently conducted a briefing on Capitol Hill highlighting post-9/11 backlash incidents directed at Sikhs and other South Asians, and is supporting federal legislation to provide law enforcement agencies more resources to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. “Hate violence can tear communities apart,” Singh said. “Sikh Americans have long endured discrimination, and although legislation cannot expunge hate from our society, our lawmakers must send a clear message that these insidious acts of violence are inconsistent with America’s promise of freedom and tolerance.”
SMART Encourages Community to Exercise Restraint before Labeling this a Hate Crime Phoenix, AZ – A Sikh convenience store employee was murdered in Tempe, Arizona on Tuesday, September 23, in a crime which has not been labeled as hate-motivated by authorities. Sukhvir Singh, 33, was apparently stabbed to death by a transient named Bruce Phillip Reed. Police have arrested the 43-year-old Reed; a man law enforcement officials say had done odd jobs for the convenience store. A knife that might have been used in the killing was found Wednesday morning at a business near the convenience store, and Reed was booked by the police and charged with murder. Since learning about the shooting yesterday, SMART representatives have spoken with Sukhvir’s cousins and close family friends. Sukhvir’s parents reside near Chandigarh in Punjab, India and have applied for a visa to come to the U.S. for the funeral. SMART, along with the Sikh community nationwide, extends our prayers to Sukhvinder Singh’s family. SMART would also like to thank friends and neighbors who created a makeshift memorial for Sukhvir Wednesday morning, which included flowers, candles and religious artifacts. We will continue to notify the community about efforts to aid the family through our web site.
Community demonstrates solidarity following hate crime Washington, DC – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American advocacy group, is standing in solidarity with the local Muslim community after a mosque in College Park, MD was defiled by a cross-burning yesterday. SMART’s Chairman, Manjit Singh, issued a statement demonstrating the need for ethnic and religious communities to unify when such hate crimes are undertaken to divide. “As a religious minority also targeted after 9/11, the Sikh American community expresses its deepest concern and sympathy for Muslim Americans,” said Singh. “Where such acts are designed to intimidate, unity becomes our strongest weapon against hate. The perpetrators of this act must be brought to justice to demonstrate that hate in our society cannot and will not be tolerated.” This cross-burning becomes the first such incident reported to authorities in Maryland in over three years. To help prevent such acts from occurring again, SMART and other local civil rights groups are urging authorities to investigate and prosecute this act to the fullest extent of the law.
Panelist Discusses Recent Incidents, Community Outreach and Prevention Washington, DC – Earlier this week, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh civil rights organization, conducted a congressional briefing about hate crime and effective strategies for outreach and prevention. The briefing, entitled “Violence Against South Asians since 9/11”, took place on Capitol Hill August 23 and was sponsored by the offices of Representatives Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Joe Wilson (R-SC). Preetmohan Singh, SMART’s National Director, stated that since 9/11 the Sikh American community has experienced over 400 hate crimes, including verbal and physical threats, aggravated assaults, and shootings. Amnesty International recently reported that only one of nine hate crimes is reported in the United States. Experts state that reporting in the South Asian community is even lower primarily due to the lack of access, language barriers and immigration status issues. As recently as July 5, Gurpreet Singh, a Sikh cab driver in Richmond, CA, was shot and killed when attempting to pick his fare. Although local law enforcement officials have yet to determine if race bias was a motive, Mr. Singh stated that in the absence of such a declaration, many in the Sikh community assume a hate crime, as on May 19, when Avtar Singh Chiera was shot in Phoenix, AZ, by assailants who shouted “Go back to were you belong.” Mr. Singh stressed that in addition to affecting the family and the individual, these incidents generate fear and anxiety in the Sikh community because these incidents are based on real or perceived religion or national origin. Mr. Singh shared SMART’s community education and outreach efforts to stress the importance of reporting bias and hate motivated incidents, and to take active measures in prevention. Some of the steps SMART and the Sikh American community have taken in the post-9/11 period include encouraging the community to increase its civic participation, increasing awareness about themselves among their neighbors, co-workers and collaborating with law enforcement to disseminate information about Sikh Americans. SMART also discussed the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (S. 966), legislation that further empowers law enforcement to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. A representative of the South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) also made comments and engaged in discussion with House Staff.
SMART to Monitor Investigation, Facilitate Community Outreach Richmond, CA–In response to recent shootings of two Sikh cab drivers in the Bay Area, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh civil rights organization, recently facilitated a meeting between local and federal law enforcement officials, elected representatives, and cab drivers. Following the meeting, SMART was able to confirm good faith and diligent efforts by the Richmond Police Department regarding the cab driver shootings. The police are aggressively pursuing leads in the July 2 murder of Gurpreet Singh and the July 5 shooting of Inderjit Singh. The city of Richmond has announced a reward of $2,500 for tips leading to arrests in the shootings. El Sobrante Gurdwara has matched the city’s reward. Following the meeting, the Richmond police agreed to send officers to the El Sobrante Gurdwara to train cab drivers on how to effectively relay emergency calls to local police. Additionally drivers will be trained on how to deal with confrontational situations. Based on the cab drivers’ requests, city officials promised to consider the cab drivers’ suggestions for installing video cameras and glass partitions in cabs. Local law enforcement officials also agreed to consider new taxicab safety regulations to address safety concerns. Attendees at the multi-jurisdiction meeting included Richmond Police Chief Joseph Samuels, County Supervisor John Gioia, Department of Justice Representative Booker T. Neal, and El Sobrante Gurdwara President Harpreet Singh Sandhu, who was there on behalf of the local cab drivers seeking the Sikh community’s assistance in response to the shootings. SMART also discussed conducting awareness and protocol training it has conducted nationally with the Department of Justice to provide law enforcement officials with the necessary background and strategies to more effectively work with the Sikh community. Over thirty South Asian cab drivers, many of whom were Sikh, met at the El Sobrante Gurdwara in advance of the multi-jurisdiction meeting to express their concerns and develop an agenda for the meeting with city officials and law enforcement. Chief Samuels said he is hiring more dispatchers and officers, and invites Punjabi speaking applicants to apply for these positions. If you or someone you know is interested in working as a dispatcher or in joining the Richmond Police, please contact SMART at 202-393-2700. SMART will continue to update the community about the investigation and community relations efforts.
SMART Collaborating with Local, State, and Federal Authorities to Address Death Threats Received by Maryland Sikh Family Washington, DC—Responding to a pair of death threats received by a Sikh family in the Washington, DC metropolitan area three weeks ago, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights organization, is organizing a community forum to discuss this and issues related to hate crimes with law enforcement officials. SMART is encouraging the DC-area Sikh community to attend the event this Wednesday, August 27 at 7 pm in Rockville, MD (details below). The pair of death threats stated, in part, that the family is believed to be “closely affiliated with the Taliban…[and] plan to kill you and your family members.” Since receiving the threats, SMART has been coordinating with the family and law enforcement authorities, including the FBI, to ensure investigation of these threats as bias-motivated incidents. The community forum, “Combating Hate Crimes,” is being organized in collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement officials and community groups to present information about how to effectively deal with such hate-motivated incidents. The event will serve a mutually educational purpose for community members and law enforcement, and will not be a forum where the affected family’s identity is revealed. Confirmed participants include representatives from the Department of Justice, DC Bias Crimes Task Force, Montgomery County Police Department, and representatives from the Sikh, Arab, Muslim, Jewish and other communities. If you live in the DC metropolitan area, please share information about this event with your family and friends. Additionally, please request your local gurdwara to make an announcement about the event and distribute copies of the event flyer (available online, see URL below) at the gurdwara.
WASHINGTON, DC – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh civil rights organization, is encouraging Gurdwaras across the United States to sign a joint letter on behalf of the religious community to Congress in support of hate crimes prevention legislation. SMART is enlisting the Sikh American community’s support to send the message that hate crimes should be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The nation’s religious community is being brought together by various interfaith organizations to gather signatures of America’s religious leaders in support of passage of S.966, the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA), and its House companion bill, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Current law permits federal prosecution of a crime as a hate crime only if the act was motivated by bias based on race, religion, national origin, or ethnicity, and the assailant intended to prevent the victim from exercising a federally protected right. If this legislation is enacted, it would expand federal jurisdiction to include a broader set of bias categories. Second, the legislation would increase funds and support from federal law enforcement in the prosecution and investigation of hate crimes. Such action would enhance vigilance and effectiveness in the response to hate crimes. SMART requests Gurdwara leaders to sign the enclosed letter urging passage of this important legislation, and to help gather as many signatures as possible from other Gurdwaras. Signatories to the letter (attached below) should provide the following information: – Name – Gurdwara – City, State – Telephone Please give a copy of this advisory to your local gurdwara management and encourage them to sign-on. ### SAMPLE LETTER ### Dear Senator/Representative, We the undersigned religious leaders, from the Sikh faith tradition in XX state write you to urge swift passage of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act of 2003(S.966), without any weakening to the amendments. In the troubling times after September 11th, the Sikh American community in particular has faced a twofold threat. Just as any American post-September 11th, Sikh Americans have had to live with the anxiety and apprehension of future terrorist attacks. However, in addition, Sikh Americans are living everyday with the fear of hate crimes being committed against members and institutions of their own community. The first fatality in the September 11th backlash was, in fact, a Sikh American gas station operator in Mesa, AZ. Thus, we must make it clear that neither hate nor violence is a traditional American value; both are antithetical to democracy and true spirituality. Though legislation cannot remove hate from the hearts and minds of individuals, hate crime prevention legislation can help to create a society that is unbending in its intolerance of hate-motivated violence. As you know, current law permits federal prosecution of a hate crime only if the crime was motivated by bias based on race, religion, national origin, or ethnicity, and the assailant intended to prevent the victim from exercising a “federally protected right.” The LLEEA would expand federal jurisdiction to include a broader set of bias categories. The law would also empower federal prosecutors to act in concert with local police and provide funding to these officials to assist with investigations. A broader federal law will also help make up for the inadequacy and absence of inclusive hate crime laws in many states and municipalities. To those who would oppose this hate crime legislation in the name of religion, we state categorically: everyone in this society should enjoy the strongest possible guarantee of freedom from attacks motivated by bigotry. Bigotry cloaked in religion is neither a moral right nor a religious value. The sacred Xures of many different religious traditions speak with dramatic unanimity on the subject of intolerance. If we aspire to be true to the prophetic core of our religions, we cannot condemn hate and then sit idly by while it destroys our communities. We believe that religion and government must work together to create a society in which diverse people are safe as well as free. We urge you to support the enactment of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act. Sincerely,
SMART Following Up with Local, Federal Law Enforcement in NYC Washington, DC – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights organization, is encouraging the Sikh American community to attend a vigil promoting unity and peace in Queens, New York on Tue. August 19. The vigil is in response to the recent attack on a Sikh family in Queens, New York. SMART has learned that the August 3 hate crime in Queens, NY is being actively investigated by the NYPD. SMART has been consulting with the FBI and the NYPD Bias Crimes Unit to ensure that both federal and local authorities are diligently moving forward in the investigation. Communities in New York City are responding actively by supporting the Sikh family and condemning the incident. Local community organizations, led by New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), have come together in organizing the “Vigil Against Violence.” The vigil, supported by several local and national organizations including SMART, will be held in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY on Tuesday, August 19. Details about the event, scheduled as a march, are follows: Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 Time: 6:30 P.M. sharp Assemble at: P.S. 69, in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY at 77-02 37th Avenue March to: Frank D. O’Connor Playground on Broadway, between 78 and 79 St SMART encourages the Sikh community in New York City to distribute information about the vigil to their family and friends, and attend the vigil in l
SMART Collaborating with Bay Area Sikh Community, Law Enforcement to Address Cab Drivers’ Concerns Washington, DC— Following two violent crimes against Bay Area cab drivers last week, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) has been coordinating efforts with the local Sikh community to provide the victims’ families assistance. SMART has also been in direct contact with local and federal authorities and is monitoring the investigation of both shootings. The Sikh community, along with local, state, and federal civic and law enforcement officials will gather this Sunday, July 13, to memorialize the life of Gurpreet Singh. (Details about the memorial service are listed below.) Singh, a 23-year-old Sikh cab driver, was shot to death early July 2 as he attempted to pick up a fare. The Richmond Police Department have not classified the murder as a hate crime and have yet to determine a motive. Another cab driver, Inderjit Singh, 29, of El Sobrante was shot in the jaw on July 5 when he responded to a call from his dispatcher. The victim of this shooting, who is unrelated, survived and has since been released from the hospital. Gurpreet Singh worked as a cab driver since coming to the United States five years ago. He was intending to return to India in October to get married. SMART, along with the Sikh community nationwide, extends its prayers to the family of Gurpreet Singh.