Post-9/11 discrimination plagues Detroit area Sikhs

Shawn D. Lewis / The Detroit News

Troy — Metro Detroit Sikhs say they have cause for concern today as they, too, reflect on the tragedy of 9/11. Sikhs, who wear turbans as part of their religion, say they are frequently assumed to be Muslims, Arabs or religious extremists. Some Sikhs say since September 11, they have experienced more negative comments and discrimination. In Michigan, the number the of Sikhs ranges from 5,000 to 7,000. About 50,000 Sikhs are in the United States, and the 20 million worldwide comprise the fifth largest religion. Juan Cole, University of Michigan professor of modern history, said it will take years before things improve for Sikhs and others painted with the broad stroke of terrorism.

“Things have actually gotten worse since 9/11,” he said. “The increasingly negative attitude toward Muslims has a deeply negative effect on Sikhs because the general American public does not seem able to make a distinction. We have a new struggle to wage against this kind of prejudice against Muslims and Sikhs.”

“We are human beings on a path of spirituality, and please don’t start attacking us because you think we’re the people who bombed the World Trade Center,” said Sarab Neelam, 48, a suburban dad of three, and a Sterling Heights gastroenterologist. His semi-autobiographical film, “Ocean of Pearls,” about a Sikh physician in Detroit, is playing at the Maple Art Theater in Bloomfield Hills. “We all went through a great tragedy after 9/11, but we should not create another tragedy by harming innocent Americans here.” That sentiment is echoed by the largest and oldest Sikh civil rights organization in the United Sates. “Many of us feel we’re viewed with apprehension and mistrust, which stems from the animus and bias toward Arabs and Muslims because many people are unable to distinguish among religious groups,” said Rajdeep Jolly, 28, a lawyer and director of law and policy for the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund in Washington, D.C. “The problem, fundamentally, is ignorance, fear and lack of nuance.” Jolly, born and raised in the U.S., said he has endured taunts of people calling him “terrorist” and “Osama bin Laden” while walking the streets of the nation’s capital. Shortly following the September 11 attacks, former Louisiana Republican Congressman John Cooksey expressed his feelings about those who wear turbans. “If I see someone (who) comes in that’s got a diaper on his head and a fan belt wrapped around the diaper on his head, that guy needs to be pulled over.” He publicly apologized and lost re-election. College student Deep Singh, 22, of Livonia, said he felt bad when he was pulled over by a Livonia police officer last summer. He said he was driving home from work as a pharmacy technician when he was stopped. “Do you have any weapons in your car?” was the first question asked by the officer. Singh said he was not ticketed and the officer courteously told him to drive safely. The Livonia Police Department was not able to verify the incident since no ticket was issued. Although Raminder Singh Dhaddli, 59, of Troy also has endured stares and taunts, he prefers to focus on feelings shared by Americans on this day. “This was a great American tragedy, and everybody is united in this fight against terrorism,” said Dhaddli, an internist at the Veteran’s Administration in Detroit. Days after the attacks, Dhaddli felt compelled to hand out leaflets in his subdivision explaining who Sikhs are. He didn’t want neighbors thinking he was in solidarity with the terrorists. For Heminder Singh, 49, of West Bloomfield, not much has changed since 9/11. The psychiatrist had an experience with a patient who resorted to ethnic intimidation during an office visit. “He started yelling at me, ‘You diaper-headed Arab. Go back to your own country,'” he said. “They see you as Arab or Muslim, and it’s a very common perception. There’s nothing wrong with being Muslim, but that’s not my religion.” Neelam said he hopes one day that doing simple, everyday things will not elicit the usual stares. “The other day I went to the park with my family and once again, people were staring at us like, ‘What are you doing here?’ ” he said. “It may not happen for another 50 years, but I’m hopeful that it will happen.” slewis@detnews.com (734) 462-2190 http://www.detnews.com/article/20090911/METRO02/909110344/1041/lifestyle04/Post-9/11-discrimination-plagues-Detroit-area-Sikhs

May 21, 2009 (Washington, DC) –  The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) urges the Sikh American community to thank Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado for his leadership in adding the Sikh American perspective to the Congressional Record in connection with the groundbreaking Hate Crimes Bill. At SALDEF’s request, Rep. Polis specifically addressed “the very real evil of hate crimes against Sikh Americans” and lamented the fact that “a particular group of loyal, patriotic Americans is targeted for attack and ridicule because of the peaceful observance of their faith.”  He concluded his statement with a call to action: “We must not ignore the problem.  We must confront it, call it what it is, and work to make sure these kinds of attacks never happen again.” Click Here to Read the Full Statement by Rep. Jared Polis SALDEF urges you to heed the call of Rep. Jared Polis by supporting the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 909), a legislative measure that aims to increase the power of the federal government to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.  A similar version of the bill (H.R. 1913) passed the U.S. House of Representatives late last month by a 249-175 vote.  Now it is time for the U.S. Senate to consider this historic proposal. Click Here to Contact Your Senator 1. Tell your Senator to support the Hate Crimes Bill 2. Tell your Senator that Sikh Americans are still subjected to hate crimes 3. Tell your Senator to speak out on behalf of Sikh Americans on the Senate Floor If you have ever been the victim of a hate crime because of your Sikh identity, please consider sharing your story with your Senator to emphasize just how serious the problem really is.  If you ever suffer discrimination or violence because of your Sikh identity, please contact SALDEF via email or by telephone at (202) 393-2700.

By ALYSSA GIACHINO • Staff Writer • November 6, 2008 CARTERET —The Sikh community is seeking a comprehensive response to two violent attacks against their members last month, and the mayor’s office convened a meeting Wednesday to begin to address their concerns. “We’ll hopefully get some action to prevent it in the future,” said Gurjit Chima, the daughter of the victim of the most recent assault. “This goes so underreported, I think this should be publicized. You want people to know what’s going on.” Her father, Ajit Singh Chima, 69, was beaten in the face and kicked before dawn by an unknown attacker last week. Less than three weeks prior, a 10-year-old boy, Gagandeep Singh, was jumped while walking home from school. His turban was removed and his hair was cut off, an offense to Sikhs who grow their hair as a sign of religious devotion. The two cases are being investigated as bias crimes by the Carteret Police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office, but no arrests have been made. The two Sikh temples have offered $5,000 toward a reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator, and the legal details of administering such a reward are being reviewed by the prosecutor’s office. In the wake of the attacks, the community is on edge. “I think everybody’s still a little wary and on-guard around here,” said community member Linda Singh. “The people I’ve been talking to are looking over their shoulder.” Wednesday’s meeting included representatives from the Carteret police department, the board of education, the county prosecutor’s office, and the Department of Justice. There were also selected representatives of the local Sikh community and Sikh advocacy groups from New York and Washington D.C. The meeting was closed to the public and the press. But through a miscommunication, it had been announced as an open meeting at the Dashmesh Darbar temple, so more than 15 people waited in the vestibule of the community center. “They announced it in the temple, they said very clearly it should be open,” said Davinder Johal, a teacher. “We’re here for some reason, and we want to participate in the meeting. There shouldn’t be any more of these incidents.” Reiman said the working group came together “to talk not only about the incident relative to Mr. Chima, but to talk about in general how we can plan to have better communication and outreach within Carteret.” Meeting participants said they discussed expanding training for teachers and students in the school district on the Sikh religion and culture. The mayor said there would also be training for the police department. Members of the Sikh community are often reluctant to contact the police, sometimes because of language and cultural barriers and sometimes because they are not confident in the police’s response. Rajbir Singh Datta, director of the Washington D.C.-based Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund said, “I think the community put a lot of proposals on the table. I think the mayor’s office and the police and schools have a lot to do. And I think the Sikh community has a lot to do now. It’s a lot of responsibility on both sides to try and come together.” Though some were heartened by the borough administration’s interest in their concerns, others were not persuaded the meeting will translate into concrete action. “We were hearing that they were a little bit skeptical,” Linda Singh said. “They really want to see something happen with this, they don’t just want an empty promise.” Adding fuel to the community’s outrage is an article published by a small weekly paper, which began mailing a Carteret edition to borough homes in October. The issue that came out Oct. 31, five days after Chima was assaulted, confused Sikhs for Muslims in an article critical of their support for the independent council candidates in Tuesday’s election. In the eyes of many residents, the paper equated the local Muslim community with “Islamic fundamentalists” by printing an undated photo showing protesters in Iran holding a burning American flag. “Both communities are outraged by this, especially in light of the recent hate crimes,” Linda Singh said. “Not only is this offensive to the Muslim and the Sikh community, people were concerned that the tabloid could’ve incited more violence against either one of the communities.” She and others said they believe the paper is connected to the Democratic party and that the publication is politically motivated. Mayor Reiman said he has no relationship with the paper’s publisher. mycentraljersey.com

by Sharon Adarlo and Tom Haydon/The Star-Ledger Police in Carteret say they are investigating two attacks this month against members of the borough’s Sikh community as possible bias incidents. One of the incidents involved a 10-year-old boy who had his turban ripped from his head and his hair cut, police said. The boy was walking home from Nathan Hale Elementary School at about 3 p.m. Oct. 8 when someone wearing a black mask threw the fifth grader to ground, took off his turban and used a knife or scissors to cut a few inches of hair from his head, according to a police report. Sikh men are required by their religion to protect their hair, which they are forbidden from cutting because it is considered a gift from God. Carteret police are also investigating an attack Monday against a 67-year-old Sikh as he was walking in Carteret Park at 4:30 a.m. A man knocked him to the ground and kicked him in the face, causing multiple facial cuts and bruising around his eye, police said. The attacker did not demand cash and walked away after the assault, police said. The Sikh-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, a civil rights advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., has contacted the FBI about the attacks. “It seems like a new trend,” said Linda Singh, a Carteret resident who is active in the Sikh community. “(Sikh) people have been here a long time. So this is new, this stuff happening.” Carteret has become a magnet community for the more than 25,000 Sikhs living in New Jersey. An estimated 1,000 of the borough’s 22,000 residents are Sikhs. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/10/carteret_police_investigating.html NJ.com

Mr. Ajit Singh Chima, 69, was attacked in what authorities say is a hate crime. (Photo courtesy of the Chima family) By Alyssa Giachino • Staff Writer • October 30, 2008 CARTERET —In two separate incidents this month, a child and a senior citizen of the Sikh faith have been attacked on borough streets, and police are looking into the incidents as hate crimes. The most recent occurred Monday around 3 a.m. when Ajit Singh Chima, 69, was punched and kicked repeatedly by an assailant as he walked along Carteret Avenue as part of his daily exercise routine. Chima said he suffered several fractures around his eyes and jaw, which prevents him from chewing solid food. He continues to undergo medical tests to determine the extent of his injuries. “It’s going to take time (to heal),” he said. Chima’s wife, Raghbir, 69, heard her husband come home that morning. “As soon as he opened the door, I don’t know, my world is like all black,” she said. “I was so nervous, I couldn’t say a word I just started crying … his face was all black and blue and bloody.” The assailant, described as a 5’7” male in his early 20s with a thin build, caught up with Chima near Johnson Avenue, according to the police report. “He crossed the median and came to me,” Chima said. “I started asking, ‘What do you want?’ and he immediately knocked me down. He punched me real hard on the nose.” Chima said his assailant continued assaulting him as he lay on the ground. According to the police report, “the offender said nothing and seemingly focused on the head area on which Ajit wears a turban.” Chima was not carrying a wallet, but said, “The guy never asked me anything, give me money or something.” His attacker then walked away. Chima lay for a moment to get his bearings, then got up and headed home. He encountered a patrol car on the way and the officers took him back to the crime scene but found no evidence. Police searched the area but did not find any suspects. “We are looking into it as a bias incident,” said Captain Daniel Tarrant. “We have no evidence of it being a bias incident other than that he is Indian, he was wearing a turban and he did nothing to provoke it.” Chima is a retired mechanical engineer and has lived in Carteret since 1975, where he raised his two daughters, and said he’s never experienced anything more than tasteless taunts from children. Carteret police reported the incident to the bias crimes unit of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. A Washington D.C.-based advocacy group, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, said it reported the incident to the FBI and Justice Department. Gurdarshan “Gary” Singh, 40, a working committee member at the Singh Sabha temple in Carteret, said that based on membership lists, he estimates the Sikh population in Carteret is at least 2,500, out of the borough’s 22,000 residents. Singh said recently he has heard of more incidents in which Sikhs feel threatened or intimidated. “The feeling of the community is people are scared,” he said. He said many people choose not to report incidents to the authorities. However, an attack on a fifth-grade boy on Oct. 8 was reported to the police. Gagandeep Singh, 10, was walking home alone from Nathan Hale School when he was attacked by a person wearing a mask. According to the police report, the boy was jumped from behind and knocked to the ground along Hayward Avenue. The assailant pulled off Gagandeep’s turban and cut his hair with a blade, then ran off. Gagandeep’s sister, Jaseir Kaur, 23, said he arrived home nervous and in tears. In the Sikh faith, both males and females grow their hair out as a sign of religious devotion. “Cutting the skin or the hair is like the same thing in our culture,” she said. She said her family has been on the alert since the incident. “We’re feeling not safe like we used to be,” she said. http://www.mycentraljersey.com/

SALDEF concerned about potential backlash in the coming weeks after historic Presidential election Washington, DC – October 29, 2008: On Monday, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, documented a violent hate crime against a Sikh American man in Carteret, New Jersey. Before dawn on Monday morning, Mr. Ajit Singh Chima walked out of his home in Carteret for his daily exercise. As he walked around his neighborhood, Mr. Chima was violently struck in the head by a Hispanic male who appeared to be in his twenties. As Mr. Chima fell to the ground, the assailant continued to violently punch and kick Mr. Chima in the head, neck and face before casually walking away from the scene. Nothing was stolen from Mr. Chima’s person. Mr. Chima suffered four broken bones around his jaw and eyes. Other medical tests are ongoing to diagnose any possible effects on his vision or greater head injuries. As of today, no arrests have been made. Upon learning of the incident, SALDEF alerted local police, the Mayor of Carteret, the FBI and other Justice Department officials and urged them to investigate the attack as a possible hate crime. Carteret Mayor Daniel J. Reiman acknowledged SALDEF’s concerns about post-9/11 hate crimes against Sikhs and reassured SALDEF that the attack would be properly investigated. “In light of previous hate attacks against the Sikh American community, if theft isn’t an issue, and if the assailant isn’t known to the victim, we are left with a presumption that bias was a motive,” said Rajdeep Singh Jolly, Legal Director of SALDEF. “We want law enforcement officials to investigate this attack as a possible hate crime.” The Potential for More Over the past year, SALDEF and many other organizations have expressed concern about the use of ethnic and religious slurs in the context of the presidential campaign and the perceived acceptance from both campaigns that to be or perceived to be Muslim or Arab is negative. SALDEF has also documented an increase in verbal assaults directed toward Sikhs in the past 30 days. For example, last month, a community member came to SALDEF regarding an incident that occurred in Providence, RI which could have resulted in violence. While waiting on the sidewalk for a companion to park their car, a Sikh American man was approached by a white male who got out of his vehicle and accosted him. The white male approached the turbaned Sikh male and allegedly stated, ” I have a gun in my car and since you are a hajii no one will care if I kill you. You know why the police won’t do anything? Because I got blond hair and blue eyes.” As the assailant left, he screamed, “F*** Arabs and F*** Obama.” “The bias-filled rhetoric has reached a new high this campaign season and our community must be prepared for any potential increase in hate and bias crimes,” said SALDEF National Director Rajbir Singh Datta. “Individuals who feel no shame about verbally assaulting members of the Sikh American community usually just need a spark to turn violent. We fear the spark may be the outcome of the presidential campaign, regardless of who wins.” This should not prevent Sikh Americans from voting on November 4, 2008. SALDEF urges all Sikh Americans to exercise their democratic right to cast a ballot for the candidate of their choice this election year. As always, however, Sikh Americans should be aware of their surroundings; stay in contact with friends and family; and immediately report any incidents of harassment or violence to the police and to SALDEF at legal@saldef.org or via phone at (202) 393-2700. CONTACT: Rajbir Singh Datta; media@saldef.org; 202-393-2700 ext 127

SALDEF and San Jose Gurdwara partner to rehabilitate youth Washington, DC – October 14, 2008: Over the past several months, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the nation’s oldest and largest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, in collaboration with the San Jose Gurdwara, was involved with the administration of a probation period for 4 youth assailants in San Jose. In October 2007, SALDEF was contacted by a Sikh family in San Jose who was concerned with the increase in the number of attacks on their home. For months, the Singh residence was the site of numerous hate-motivated attacks on their property. Their home was spray painted with vulgar language such as “Osama,” “Al Qaida,” and “Nigger.” Their home was toilet-papered on numerous occasions and the family frequently received vulgar and threatening phone calls in the middle of the night. Through their perseverance, the family was able to catch the assailants — 4 Southeast Asian and 1 South Asian teenagers — by identifying the vehicle and license plate number that they saw in front of their house. On more then one occasion the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) commented to the family that the attacks were simply pranks and nothing to worry about. However, it was clear to SALDEF that after the non-action by the police and a rumor that spread about a physical threat being made against the family’s son, that action was needed. SALDEF immediately reached out to the SJPD and District Attorney to ensure that the assailants were prosecuted and offer SALDEF as a resource for law enforcement authorities in dealing with the case. After working with the SJPD, San Jose Gurdwara Management, the Santa Clara District Attorney’s Office, and the Santa Clara Probation Department, SALDEF, with the support of the family, was successful in negotiating that all 4 of the boys who were convicted go through an education series about Sikh traditions and beliefs as well as curriculum around hate and intolerance and its effect on the larger community. Additionally, 2 of the 4 convicted students were sentenced to 50 hours of community service at the San Jose Gurdwara. The youths assisted in helping in the Khalsa School office, cleaning the grounds of the Gurdwara, working with local Sikh American high school students on a car wash fundraiser, and helping to collect data on Sikh youths affected by bullying and harassment in school. “The purpose of the community service was to facilitate an opportunity for the youths to interact with the local Sikh American community and to learn more about Sikhs and our faith,” said SALDEF Managing Director Kavneet Singh. “Knowing that the crimes were hate motivated was a disturbing find. Thirteen-year-olds aren’t born with hate; they learn it. Our hope through this community service was to encourage them to unlearn that destructive behavior.” SALDEF is continuing to work with the local school district to ensure the safety of Sikh youth and to facilitate long-term constructive communication between the local Sikh American community and school officials. If you believe that your child is experiencing difficulties in school, contact SALDEF immediately at education@saldef.org so that your concerns can be addressed before the incidents escalate. Please distribute this widely to family, friends and at the local Gurdwara

SALDEF urges community to remain vigilant and aware of surroundings Washington, DC – August 26, 2008: The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, is shocked and concerned about the number of violent attacks against Sikhs across the United States in recent weeks. The Incidents Phoenix, Arizona: On August 4, 2008, Mr. Inderjit Singh Jassal was working at a 7-11 store in West Phoenix when 27-year-old Jermaine Canada walked in with his two children, aged 2 and 6. According to the surveillance video, Mr. Singh and Mr. Canada had a short conversation, at the end of which Mr. Canada pulled a concealed firearm from his shirt and shot and killed Mr. Jassal. New York City: On August 8, 2008, the dead body of a homeless man was found in front of a Gurdwara in Richmond Hill, New York. Published articles report that the victim was violently beaten to death to the point of being almost unrecognizable as he lay in a pool of blood. Media reports indicate that the homeless man was a Sikh, but this has not yet been confirmed. Oxnard, California: On August 16, 2008, Gurmohinder Singh, an owner of multiple convenience stores in California was shot and killed by 22-year-old Jeffery Aguilar as he walked out of the US Bank in Oxnard California. In each of these crimes where a motive has yet to be determined, SALDEF representatives are leading efforts to ensure that hate and bias are explored as possible motives until evidence shows otherwise. “Each time a violent crime occurs against a member of the Sikh community, we must stand together to ensure that the police investigation is conducted in a thorough and comprehensive manner,” said SALDEF Managing Director Kavneet Singh. “In too many cases, Sikh Americans have been victims not only of a crime, but also of incomplete police investigations. We strive to ensure that all criminal investigations involving victims are taken seriously and conducted expeditiously.” SALDEF Responses Phoenix, Arizona: SALDEF representatives worked with local community members to help facilitate dialogue between the community and law enforcement. SALDEF also aided the victim’s family in efforts to obtain travel documents for his family to India. New York City: SALDEF immediately connected with the NYPD to ensure the investigation is conducted appropriately. Additionally, SALDEF has partnered with the National Coalition for the Homeless ito help bring awareness to crimes against the most vulnerable members of our community. Oxnard, California: SALDEF is working with local community members to ensure that their concerns are addressed. SALDEF has also contacted law enforcement officials to ensure that the assailant, who was arrested, is convicted to the fullest extent of the law. “While these instances have occurred in quick succession over the past several weeks, we do not see this as indicative of a trend,” said SALDEF National Director Rajbir Singh Datta. “It is though a striking reminder of the presence of hatred and the lack of awareness in our country.” SALDEF urges all Sikh Americans to immediately report any incidents of harassment, bullying or assault to SALDEF and your local authorities. If you or someone you know has been a victim of any racially motivated crime, please contact SALDEF directly toll free at 877-917-4547 or via email at info@saldef.org. We all have a responsibility to ensure our freedom from harassment and discrimination. Please distribute this widely to family, friends and at the local Gurdwara

SALDEF urges swift police response and community vigilance Washington, DC – August 10, 2008: On August 4, 2008, SALDEF was alerted to the vicious murder of 62-year-old Mr. Inderjit Singh Jassal, in Phoenix, Arizona. Last Monday, Mr. Jassal was working at a 7-11 store in West Phoenix when a black male, later identified as 27 year-old Jermaine Canada, walked in with his two children, aged 2 and 6. According to the surveillance video, the two individuals had a short conversation, at the end of which Mr. Canada pulled a concealed firearm from his shirt and fatally killed Mr. Jassal. The Phoenix Sikh American community is in a state of shock this week as a motive has not been found. Nothing was stolen and there is no confirmation that this killing was something other than a heinous crime motivated by hate. “The Phoenix community has experienced a tremendous amount of hardship over the past seven years, since the attacks of 9/11” said SALDEF Western Regional Director Kavneet Singh. “This shooting is an utter tragedy and we hope that this case is prosecuted in a swift and appropriate manner.” SALDEF has contacted the Phoenix Police Department about the incident as well as expressed concerns with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice to ensure the thorough investigation of this case. SALDEF will continue to work with leaders in the Phoenix community to ensure aggressive action in this matter. We also urge all Sikh Americans to immediately report any incidents of harassment, bullying or assault to SALDEF and your local authorities. If you or someone you know has been a victim of any racially motivated crime, please contact SALDEF directly toll free at 877-917-4547 or via email at info@saldef.org

Reauthorization includes increased hate crime data collection provisions Washington, DC – August 1, 2008: The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), the oldest and largest Sikh American civil rights organization in the United States, applauds the United States Congress in passing the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008 (H.R 4137). The bill amended and reauthorized the Higher Education Act of 1965, which was intended to increase access to U.S. Colleges and Universities. The original act was part of President Lyndon B. Johnson education platform and, among other actions, increased federal money given to universities, created scholarships, and gave low-interest loans to students. HR 4137, which was overwhelmingly passed by both the House in February and the Senate yesterday, included provisions that SALDEF and a coalition of national organizations have been advocating for over the past several years. In the recently passed bill, the U.S. Congress has included provisions requiring the U.S. Department of Education to collect data on campus hate crime incidents in categories similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Click here to see if your Senator voted in favor of this legislation Click here to see if your Congressperson voted in favor of this legislation Unfortunately campuses and universities continue to be a hot-bed of hate- and bias- crime activity, especially in recent years. In strike contrast to the voluntary statistics provided to the FBI Hate Crimes report, HR 4137 can allow for the loss of federal funding to Colleges and Universities who do not comply with the new hate crime reporting requirements. “The Sikh American community has a clear and pressing interest in protecting college students from hate-motivated attacks and bias-incidents,” said SALDEF Managing Director Kavneet Singh. “With better data collection of bias crimes on our nations’ college and university campuses, we will be able to better protect future generations of students on campuses across the country.” SALDEF applauds Congress for passing this vital piece of legislation and urges the Sikh American community to thank their Congressmen and Senators for voting in favor of this legislation.