The Sikh Coalition Newsletter

Justice for All - The e-Newsletter
Bhadon 31, 535 NanakShahi
September 15, 2003
Volume 24

Sikh Cab Driver Shot and Killed in Redwood City, California

A Sikh cab driver, Devinder Singh, was shot and killed on September 13, 2003 in what may be a hate crime. Devinder Singh was called to pickup two passengers and drive them from Redwood City, California to Menlo Park, California. One or both of the passengers shot and killed him after driving less than four blocks in the cab. One of the suspects has been caught by Redwood City police. The Sikh Coalition is in contact with the victim's family and has offered its assistance in the matter. The Sikh Coalition has also contacted the U.S. Justice Department and FBI to request a thorough investigation.

There has also been a reported shooting and killing of a gas station worker, Harpal Singh, in past few weeks on the Sikh Coalition website. The Sikh Coalition advises Sikhs, especially cab drivers and gas station workers to be especially vigilant in the coming month since the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks will likely increase hostility towards Sikhs. The Sikh Coalition is attempting to contact Harpal Singh's family.

For more information please go to:
http://www.sikhcoalition.org/hatecrime.asp?mainaction=viewreport&reportid=341
http://www.sikhcoalition.org/hatecrime.asp?mainaction=viewreport&reportid=34

Coalition Participates in Annual United Nations Prayer Service on September 11

The Sikh Coalition participated in the Annual United Nations Prayer Service in New York City on September 11, 2001. The President of the 58th Session of the UN General Assembly, Julian Robert Hunte addressed the gathering where representatives of more than 10 religions recited prayers in support of the United Nations' work. Prabhjot Singh of the Sikh Coalition recited a shabad at the gathering, which included more than 300 persons

Coalition Participates in Harvard University Color Lines Conference

During Labor Day weekend, over 1,000 people participated in a conference sponsored by Harvard University about the past, present and future of racial integration in the United States. The Color Lines Conference featured over 200 panelists drawn from a broad range of academic disciplines and professional sectors. The Coalition's Community Relations director, Harpreet Singh, took part in two panels: Recasting the Color Line: Asian Pacific Americans and the Racial Divide, and Religion, Civic Engagement, and Racial Justice. The conference was a national gathering of researchers, civic and business leaders, journalists, activists, and policymakers that reviewed the state of race in the United States and explored future challenges.

For more information on the conference, please see: http://www.civilrightsproject.harvard.edu/convenings/colorlines/synopsis.php.

Coalition Meets of New Jersey Civil Rights Officials at Bridgewater Gurdwara

The Garden State Sikh Association in Bridgewater, New Jersey hosted a meeting of prominent New Jersey civil rights officials on Friday, September 12, 2003. Representatives of the U.S. Attorney's office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Jersey Attorney General, New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, and the Monmouth County bias crimes unit participated in the meeting. Amardeep Singh, the Coalition's legal director, made a presentation on civil rights issues in New Jersey before the gathering. The Coalition thanks the Bridgewater Gurdwara management and sangat for hosting a successful gathering.

Coalition Participates in "A More Perfect Union"

The Sikh Coalition attended the kickoff breakfast for the "A More Perfect Union" project at the University of Richmond in Virginia on September 11th. A collaboration between the University of Richmond Chaplaincy, Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, and the Council for America's First Freedom (CAFF), the project is aimed at educating the broader community about Muslim, Arab, and South Asian culture and religion and combating bias in the Richmond metropolitan area. Amandeep Singh of the Sikh Coalition is on the Advisory Board of the project.

Coalition Participates in 9/11 Interfaith Prayer Service in Richmond

The Sikh Coalition participated in the Interfaith World Peace Prayer Service on September 11th at Unity Christ Church of Bon Air in Richmond, Virginia. Representatives of Buddhism, Ba'hai, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Native American Faiths, and Sikh faiths joined in praying for those lives lost on September 11, 2001 and the importance of tolerance and understanding of all world religions. For more information, please see: http://www.unitybonair.com/event/0/index.htm

Waylay.com Publishes cartoon portraying prominent Sikh as Osama bin Laden’s Cousin

Carol Lay published a cartoon in which a prominent California Sikh in a photo with California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante was referred to as Randy Bin Laden. This cartoon was published in the Hartford Courant on Thursday September 4, 2003. [View Cartoon]

The author subsequently made a tongue-in-cheek apology which only further insults the sentiments of Sikhs and others that wear turbans. [View Cartoon]

Due to the uprise from the community, several pieces condemning the Waylay cartoon appeared in newspapers and online resources