The Sikh Coalition Newsletter

Justice for All - The e-Newsletter
Asu 29,, 535 NanakShahi
October 13,, 2003
Volume 26

Coalition Meets New Jersey Attorney General at Asian American Civil Rights Summit, Attorney General Hears Sikh Civil Rights Concerns

On October 9, 2003, the Sikh Coalition participated in a civil rights panel organized by the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights. The event was organized by the Division to explore why Asian-Americans report bias at lower rates than other minority groups. NJ Attorney General Peter Harvey was the keynote speaker at the event. The Sikh Coalition and Sikhs from New Jersey briefly presented their civil rights concerns to the Attorney General. The Sikh Coalition thanks the Director of the NJ Division of Civil Rights, Frank Vespa-Papaleo, for organizing the event and inviting the Coalition to appear on a panel. The Coalition would also like to thank New Jersey Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula for facilitating our interaction with Attorney General Harvey and the Division on Civil Rights.

Coverage of the event:

The Star Ledger
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/somerset/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1065764979131070.xml
 
Bridgewater Courier News
http://www.c-n.com/news/c-n/story/0,2111,828077,00.html

Coalition on  "Know Your Rights" Civil Rights Panel in Seattle, Washington

On October 10, 2003, the Organization of Chinese-Americans organized a hate crimes conference in Seattle, Washington.  The Coalition was invited to appear on the panel, "Know Your Rights/Issues in Reporting Hate Crimes/Incidents."  Hardeep Singh, a Seattle area attorney, appeared on the panel on behalf of the Coalition, where he discussed the process of reporting a hate crime and assisting victims by having their complaint addressed by local authorities. 

 North American Sikh Medical and Dental Association Holds Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, Coalition Participates

The North American Sikh Medical and Dental Association (NASMDA) held its 11th Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona from October 9-12, 2003.  The convention is organized every year for North American Sikh doctors and dentists to meet, discuss common concerns, and hear presentations on current medical and dental issues.  In addition,  NASMDA regularly invites local and national Sikh organizations to its convention so that its members can learn about their work. Jasmit Singh from the Sikh Coalition made a presentation on the Coalition's work at the convention this past weekend. The Coalition would like to commend NASMDA for its work, and thank it for inviting the Coalition to participate in the convention.

For more information on NASMDA, please go to: http://www.sikhdocs.org/

Coalition Presents Civil Rights Concerns to NJ Governor's Ethnic Advisory Council at Governor's Mansion

The Sikh Coalition presented Sikh civil rights concerns to the New Jersey Governor's Ethnic Advisory Council at the Governor's mansion in Princeton, NJ on September 30, 2003.  Sutinder Singh (Dhanjal), a member of the Governor's Ethnic Advisory Council, invited the Sikh Coalition to the meeting.  The Governor's ethnic advisory council is charged with advising the Governor on the concerns of New Jersey's ethnic communities.  The council members agreed to relay the concerns raised at the meeting to the Governor and try to facilitate meetings between state officials and Sikhs in New Jersey.   The Sikh Coalition would like to thank Sutinder Singh for inviting the Coalition to the meeting and commend him on his efforts to have the concerns of New Jersey Sikhs raised at the council and state agencies.

Community Notice:  Transportation Security Administration Meeting in Washington, DC

The Sikh Coalition, along with other Arab, Muslim, South Asian and Sikh organizations, will be participating in the meeting of the Transportation Security Administration in Washington, DC to discuss air travel discrimination concerns on November 14, 2003.  Community members are encouraged to attend the meeting.  If you are interested in attending the meeting, please contact the Sikh Coalition at info@sikhcoalition.org

Community Notice:  Human Rights Seminar (Berkeley, CA)

U.C. Berkeley Center for South Asia Studies, Human Rights Center, and International Human Rights Law Clinic Present:

Human Rights, Insurgency, and Legal Accountability for 'The Disappeared' in Punjab (India):
A Presentation and Discussion of "Reduced to Ashes,"
The Final Report of the Committee for Coordination on Disappearances in Punjab (CCDP)

Tuesday, October 21, 4:00-6:00 pm
The Goldberg Room, UC Berkeley Law School, Boalt Hall

Please contact the Center for South Asia Studies with any questions regarding this event or disability access at 510-642-3608, or visit our website at:www.ias.berkeley.edu/southasia/events/html
This event is free and open to the public.

Coalition Meets NJ Assemblyman Regarding Sikh Civil Rights Concerns

New Jersey Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula met with the Sikh Coalition and New Jersey Sikhs on October 6, 2003.  At the meeting, the Coalition discussed the civil rights concerns of Sikhs and what the Assemblyman and the NJ State Assembly could do to assist Sikhs in New Jersey.  The Sikh Coalition would like to thank Harvinder Singh (Wasson) for arranging the meeting.

Community Notice:  Scholarship Opportunities

The Sikh Coalition encourages prospective Coalition students to apply to be a Gates Millennium Scholar.   To qualify, applicants must be from a minority community, be entering college in the fall of 2004 and have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.00 scale.  To deadline in January 16, 2004.  For more information, please go to: http://www.gmsp.org