FBI Director Mueller meets Sikh, Arab and Muslim American Groups

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 – The killing of Sikh San Francisco cab driver, Sukhpal Singh Sodhi, in the early hours of Sunday, may not be a hate crime, San Francisco Police Detective Joseph Toomey told Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) on Tuesday. According to Detective Toomey, the shooting took place in what he calls a known Latino gang neighborhood, four blocks away from where the victim’s car came to a stop. At the site of the shooting were bullet holes in another parked car and in a nearby wall. He said there was also a fresh pool of blood with a trail running along the sidewalk. The blood was not of the victim, he said. Detective Toomey said it is entirely possible that Sodhi may have been dropping off or picking up a fare, or driving by when the shooting took place. At this time he said the police department cannot determine if this is a hate crime and is actively continuing its investigation of the crime as a homicide. Also, robbery has been ruled out as a motive since the victim had a large sum of money on him following the incident.

 The detective said the chief of police is aware of the interest in this case and has been briefed on it. Sodhi was the brother of Balbir Singh Sodhi, who was murdered in a hate crime in Arizona in the aftermath of 9/11.

Earlier SMART had contacted and urged the FBI and the Department of Justice to investigate the killing as a possible hate crime particularly after the city’s police department prematurely concluded that it did not seem to be a hate crime. A joint press conference led by SMART and other Sikh American organizations will be held in San Francisco at noon tomorrow followed by a memorial service at the local El Sobrante gurdwara (Sikh place of worship).

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.

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)

Washington, DC — The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American advocacy group, conducted a 90 minute presentation on Sikh Americans and Sikhism yesterday for local law enforcement in Charleston, West Virginia. This presentation was part of SMART’s ongoing efforts to educate federal government and local law enforcement agencies about Sikh Americans and Sikhism. The presentation offered a tutorial about the history and theology of the Sikh faith, and focused on breaking down common stereotypes and misperceptions of Sikh Americans. 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. Attending the seminar were staff of the WV Attorney General’s office, WV Human Rights Commission, US Attorney for Southern District of WV, Director of WV Equal Employment Opportunity Office, FBI agents, US Marshals Service, officers of WV State Police, and officers from several WV city and county police departments. 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, local authorities, and community leaders. SMART will continue to offer such seminars to other federal agencies in the future.

Washington, DC – The Federal Bureau of Prisons clarified its policy allowing Sikh visitors to federal prisons to wear their religiously mandated turbans during security searches in response to concerns raised by Sikh American groups after a Sikh attorney was barred from visiting his client in a federal prison. Ravinder Singh Bhalla asserted his first amendment rights when he was asked to remove his turban after he had successfully passed through the metal detector without triggering the device at a Brooklyn, NY Federal Prison. Bhalla mobilized fellow attorneys and also contacted the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) and the Sikh Coalition to successfully persuade the Federal Bureau of Prisons to clarify its policy allowing Sikh visitors to federal prisons to wear their religiously mandated turbans during security searches. The Sikh turban is a religiously mandated head-covering and its removal in public is regarded by Sikhs as akin to a public strip search. The Federal Bureau of Prisons recently reviewed its policy and notified all its institutions clarifying the policy regarding religious garment searches. Religious garments are only to be subjected to searches on a case-by case basis and only if there is reasonable suspicion for such a search, the bureau said. The bureau also said that when prisons conduct removal and inspection searches, the least invasive means to prevent contraband introduction will be employed. If the removal and inspection of any religious head covering is required, the search will be conducted in a private area by staff of the same gender. SMART and the Sikh Coalition said they are pleased with the bureau’s clarification of its policy and encourages the bureau to implement religious and cultural awareness training for federal prison employees.

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.

Washington, DC — The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American advocacy group, conducted a 90 minute presentation on Sikh Americans and Sikhism on Thursday, March 28, for local law enforcement in Seaford, Delaware. This presentation was part of SMART’s Education Campaign aimed at educating federal government and local law enforcement agencies about Sikh Americans and Sikhism. The presentation offered a tutorial about the history and theology of the Sikh faith, and focused on breaking down common stereotypes and misperceptions of Sikh Americans. 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, local authorities, and community leaders. SMART will continue to offer such seminars to other federal agencies in the future.