Coalition Teams With NYDIS for Disaster Preparedness at Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Gurdwara

(April 5, 2005) - New York Disaster Interfaith Services, a faith-based organization working to prepare and respond to disasters in New York City, teamed with the Sikh Coalition and the New York City Office of Emergency Management to deliver a program aimed at helping the sangat and community members understand what can be done to prepare for an emergency and what steps to take if a disaster occurs.

The Coalition helped coordinate this educational program at the Makhan Shah Lubana Gurudwara in Queens where almost 100 members of the gurdwara’s sangat participated in the training.

Coalition Supports New York Coalition to Expand Voting Rights

(April 5, 2005) – The New York Coalition to Expand Voting Rights (“NYCEVR”) held a press conference on the steps of city hall in New York to introduce the Voting Rights Restoration Act. This act would allow documented non-citizens who have lived in New York City for at least six months to vote in local elections. The Coalition along with the Young Korean American Service and Education Center, Guyanese-American Workers United and the Human Rights Project of the Urban Justice Center spoke on the importance of allowing immigrants to vote so that they can voice their opinion on issues such as children’s education, affordable housing, and living in a safer New York. The Coalition’s Executive Director spoke at the event on behalf of the Coalition.

Sikh Coalition featured in local Seattle Radio Show

KPLU in Seattle, Washington recently produced a segment on the life of young Sikhs living in America, and the backlash felt by Sikhs nationwide after 9/11.The show highlighted some of the pressures felt by teenagers in America, and how they muststruggle against these pressures to maintain their religious identity. The piece also described the Sikh Coalition’s inception and the recent Sikh exhibit featured at the Wing Luke Asian Museum.

Click to hear the broadcast

Dastaar screening at Asian American Film Festival

(March 19, 2006) – The Sikh Coalition sponsored video “Dastaar” screened at the 24 th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, the largest Asian American film festival in the U.S.  The screening was part of a program called "Grassroots Rising" a collection of short films depicting social activism campaigns throughout the Asian American community. All the films received a tremendous response from the audience, and the film’s director, Kevin Lee, was there to field questions about the film.

[Learn more about the video]

Coalition Legal Director Participates in California Public Hearing

(March 30, 2006) The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation conducted a hearing to address prisoners’ hair length and attendance of religious services while in prison. The Coalition’s Legal Director testified at the hearing to request that the Department allow Sikh prisoners to maintain uncut beards and be allowed to wear turbans.

State Senator Jackie Speier. D-San Francisco/San Mateo, submitted a letter to the California Department of Corrections also requesting that the Department respect the religious freedom of its prisoners. The Coalition thanks Senator Spiers and her aide, Satinder Singh, for their assistance.

In addition to the Sikh Coalition, Dr. Pritpal Singh, Convenor of the American Sikh Prabhandak Committee, testified at the hearing. Pritpal Singh also organized a delegation of 40 Sikhs to attend the hearing. Nirinjan Singh Khalsa also testified at the hearing on behalf of the California Sikh Council (“CSC”). CSC also submitted a letter to the Department of Corrections requesting that Sikh prisoners be allowed to maintain uncut beards and be allowed to wear turbans.

Coalition Delivers Presentation at Monmouth County New Jersey Police Academy

(March 30, 2006) The Sikh Coalition conducted training for new police officers to highlight key points for the officers to be aware of when interacting with Sikhs. The trainers described the kirpan, turban, and respectful ways that officers can inquire about these articles of faith. This is the fourth training for police officers organized in Monmouth County in the last year. The Sikh Coalition thanks Monmouth County for their ongoing interest in understanding all parts of the communities they serve.

Coalition speaks in Sikh Fest at Baruch College

(March 24, 2005) The United Sikh Association of Baruch College sponsored a “Sikh Fest” event for university students and community members. Sikh organizations were asked to speak on their efforts, and ways that university students can get involved in their community. The Sikh Coalition spoke on their advocacy measures and the two bills they are hoping to get passed in City Council as well as volunteer and intern opportunities at the Coalition. The Coalition congratulates the United Sikh Association of Baruch College for organizing a successful event.