The Sikh Coalition Newsletter

Justice for All - The Weekly Newsletter
Chet 30, Nanakshahi Samvat 534
April 12, 2002
Volume 6

This week saw major advances in the Panth’s fight against NYPD’s no-turban rule, with documented evidence of two major jurisdictions in the United States inviting Sikhs to join their police forces with Sikh articles of faith. These victories along with other major achievements for the week in review are provided below.

The Sikh Coalition Ensures that the LA County Police Department Welcomes Sikhs!
After working with the Coalition, Sheriff Leroy D. Baca of the Los Angeles County Police Department has issued an open letter to the Sikh community of Los Angeles County, California inviting them to join the police department! The letter specifically states that “the articles of your faith, including the turban and beard, will not be an obstacle to serving in the department . . .”

The Coalition commends Sheriff Baca for his invitation. It stands in contrast to the no-turban policy of the NYPD. The diligent work of Coalition intern, Amandeep Singh (Ahluwalia), made this important victory possible. The letter can be viewed at: http://www.sikhcoalition.org/amricsingh.asp

Washington DC Police Chief Welcomes Sikhs into DC Police Force
The Coalition this week received an e-mail from the producer of Passion for Truth, a Washington DC, metropolitan area Sikh television program, announcing that during the show, DC Police Chief Charles Ramsey specifically stated that Sikhs would be welcome in the DC police force with their full turban and beard. Chief Ramsey’s televised statement can be viewed on the Coalition website or by visiting the Passion for Truth website at: http://www.passionfortruthtv.com/truthtable.html . The Coalition commends the Passion for Truth program for its important work.

The Sikh Coalition Presents at Sikh Youth Conference 2002 at San Jose State University
On April 6, 2002, the Sikh Student Association of San Jose State University organized an excellent conference entitled "Growing up as a Sikh in the Western World." The conference highlighted challenges faced by young Sikhs and suggested ways to address them. Jasmit Singh, Co-Director, Office of Education Affairs, for Coalition presented a paper entitled, "Our Roots on the North American Soil."

F.A.T.E.H., a human-development NGO, made an inspiring presentation called "Two Worlds, One Love" which spoke about the myths and misconceptions of being a Sikh. F.A.T.E.H. also conducted a youth workshop.

For papers from the conference, please visit: http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/rsingh/conference/papers.htm
For videos from the conference, please visit: http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/rsingh/conference/videos.htm

CU Sikhs Hold Screening of SAALT Video
On April 9, 2002, Columbia University Sikhs, a constituent member of the Coalition, held a screening of the hate crimes video, Raising Our Voices, created by South Asian Leaders of Tomorrow. A panel discussion followed the screening during which Amardeep Singh from the Coalition participated. To find out more about SAALT, please go to www.saalt.org.

Sikh American Association Participates in 2002 Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards Dinner
Amandeep Singh (Sidhu) of the Sikh American Association (SAA), a member organization of The Sikh Coalition, attended the Arab American Institute's 4th Annual Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards banquet. SAA and the Coalition have been working in concert with diverse ethnic groups effected since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, including the Arab American Institute Foundation (www.aaiusa.org). Invited as a personal guest of James Zogby, AAI's president, Coalition inclusion at this event is evidence of the growing bond among communities collectively battling ethnic and religious bias in the United States. For more information visit, http://www.aaiusa.org/kahlil_gibran_register.htm

International Conference on Human Rights in Punjab
A multi-national group of human rights scholars, lawyers, journalists and other human rights defenders will join together at Columbia University, New York on April 27, 2002, to examine a variety of past and present human rights issues in Punjab, including disappearances, judicial impunity, proposals for police amnesty, and pending litigation before India's National Human Rights Commission. Conference speakers include Cynthia Mahmood, Ram Narayan Kumar and Ashok Aggarwal. In addition, the conference shall screen a new documentary film on human rights in Punjab. To attend the conference, please pre-register by going to: http://www.sikhcoalition.org/upcoming.asp


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