SALDEF in the News
Gucci caught in a cultural appropriation scandal again
In response to Gucci’s headwear release which resembles the Sikh turban, many Sikhs voiced out their opposition. This article includes SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill’s statement that “the turban is an integral article for Sikhs, and the religious group has had to fight for their right to wear it.”
Recent Events
Sikh school bus driver reported years of harassment over his turban and beard
In response to Sawinder Singh’s complaint in 2016, an agreement was finally reached with Montgomery County Public Schools to improve cultural education and training on recognizing bias. This agreement includes the creation of a project team to make training initiatives more interactive and based on real-life scenarios and includes awareness of Sikhism.
UC Berkeley Sikh Student Association releases letter in opposition to proposed endowment
UC Berkeley Sikh Student Association’s students publicly expressed opposition to the campus Institute for South Asia Studies’ appeal for an endowment from India. The appeal called for an endowed professorship position in Sikh and Punjabi studies in exchange for $9 million from the government of India. The students expressed concern due to the events of 1984 and the ongoing tension between the Sikh community and the Indian government.
US Judge Orders Hate Crime Convict to Learn About Sikhism as Part of Jail Sentence
The young man who attacked a Sikh store owner in Oregon has been sentenced to 36 months in jail. Along with this sentencing, the judge ordered the man to attend the local Gurudwara’s annual parade to learn more about Sikhism.
When hatred is legitimized
The Trump administration’s actions have legitimized white supremacy, bigotry, and Islamophobia. According to FBI reports, the number of incidents involving hate crimes increased by 17% in 2017 compared to 2016.
Thousands of Immigrants Suffer in Solitary Confinement in ICE Detention
Karandeep Singh, a 29-year-old Sikh was moved to solitary confinement in the El Paso Processing Center, in Texas describes the solitary confinement as “mental torture.” The investigation into Immigration and Customs Enforcement has found that ICE uses isolation as a go-to tool, rather than a last resort.
Members of slain West Chester Sikh family shot more than a dozen times, report says
One month has passed since four members of a Sikh family in West Chester were murdered in their apartment. The West Chester police currently claim that there is no evidence that the crime was motivated by hate, however, no arrests have been made.
Otis to unveil Sikh genocide memorial
A 1984 Sikh Genocide Memorial, is set to be unveiled in a library in Otis, Connecticut this Saturday. The memorial aims to provide a chance for healing and education. The state has also recognized the Sikh genocide by declaring June as “Sikh Memorial Month” and June 1st as “Sikh Memorial Day”.
A hate crime against an Indian-American unites Silicon Valley’s Sunnyvale
An Interfaith working group came together to show solidarity against a hate crime that took place last month against 13-year-old Dhriti Narayan and her family. According to the article the Hindu American girl was attacked because she was perceived as a Muslim.
Weekly Wrap Up