The Sikh Coalition Newsletter

Justice for All e-Newsletter
December 14, 2005
Volume 41

Coalition Volunteers Continue Education Presentations in Kent School District

(Seattle, WA) (Seattle, WA) Volunteers for the Sikh Coalition continued their efforts for educating others about Sikh values, identity and culture.  Numerous presentations were made reaching about 800 children, staff and parents including the entire school body of East Hill Elementary School in Kent School District, WA.

The Coalition has piloted a series of presentations and workshops in the Kent School District and continues to package this work for use at school districts across the country.

The Coalition would like to thank volunteers Sujot Kaur and Dr. Sorena Kaur for their sevaa, and Dr. Kyle Good, the principal for making these education initiatives possible.

Coalition Assists Sikh Students at University of California, Berkeley to Guarantee their Religious Rights
The Coalition continues to work with Berkeley officials in order to explain the Sikh significance of the Kirpan and assure that the Sikh students who carry Kirpans not be deterred from doing so. The Coalition’s Executive Director recently met with the authorities in California and continues to work with the Coalition's Legal Director and local Sikhs to convince University authorities to fully respect their students’ religious rights.

Coalition Makes Sikh Awareness Presentation to Youth at Juvenile Delinquent Program

The Sikh Coalition partnered with the Juvenile Justice Program at The DOME Project (nonprofit organization that serves as an alternative to incarceration program for juvenile offenders) to screen the video Dastaar and answer questions on Sikh practices, hate crimes and profiling concerns.

In a letter of appreciation to the Sikh Coalition, Elizabeth O’Conner, Director of the Juvenile Justice Program expressed,

“We were all so impressed by the content and the interactions. I love when that happens. It warms my heart to see the kids be so attentive and excited to ask questions (sometimes interrupting but it's still something!). I walked one of our kids, Andrew*, to the subway afterwards and I asked him what he thought. He said, "I never knew they existed. I mean I see them around but I had no idea they are called Sikhs. Now I know. It's cool to learn something new."

The Coalition thanks Elizabeth and the DOME project for this opportunity.

If you would like to make a presentation to a local group or school, Please visit: http://www.sikhcoalition.org/Education.asp or contact education@sikhcoalition.org. Education is a powerful tool in helping reduce the ignorance and misconceptions about Sikh Americans.

Coalition presents at the Department of Health and Social Services Diversity Conference

(Seattle, WA) - The Coalition held two half day workshops using the Sikh Awareness presentation at the diversity conference held by Washington State Department of Health and Social Services at Seattle, WA. This years focus was "Building inclusion through collaboration."  The Coalition aim was to educate about Sikhism and Sikh practices so that the Sikh concerns may be better understood by the social services staff and health care policy makers.

Coalition Legal Director Delivers Key Note Speech at Asian American Bar Association of Delaware Valley (AABAV) Annual Banquet

The Sikh Coalition Legal Director delivered the key note speech to more than 200 people at the AABADV Banquet on October 28, 2005. His speech addressed the history of the struggle Asians in America, present day challenges faced by Sikhs, Muslims and other post-9/11 targeted minorities, and finally, urged lawyers and activists to educate themselves about the rules and regulations affecting minority communities, in order to become effective advocates for the underrepresented peoples.

Coalition Joins Groups Issuing Letter to GMU President to Urge Investigation into Abusive Treatment of South Asian Muslim Student

When Tariq Khan, a third-year student at GMU and Air Force service member, expressed his opposition to U.S. Marine recruitment efforts on campus, he was verbally and physically assaulted by students, a university employee, and at least four campus policemen. The Coalition has joined seven other South Asian and civil rights groups to demand a serious investigation into this matter and the grave violation of Khan’s right to free speech. The organizations also insist on sensitivity trainings to ensure that the rights of South Asian students are never again infringed this manner.

Coalition Monitors Poll in Recent New York Mayoral Election

Sikh Coalition volunteers worked at polls in Richmond Hill, New York, in order to monitor the recent mayoral election for voting rights discrimination and to learn more about the voting trends in the Sikh community. The poll monitoring project was conducted by AALDEF, the Asian American Legal and Education Defense Fund. Sikh Coalition volunteers were given training in both in poll monitoring and supervising at PS 55 in Richmond Hill.

Human Rights Watch Issues Letter to National Human Rights Commission of India

On November 1, 2005, Human Rights Watch, issued a letter to Justice A.A. Anand, the Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission in India, on the upcoming decision in the Punjab mass secret cremations case. The letter urges the Commission to “order a full accounting of the systematic abuses that occurred in Punjab, determine liability after detailed investigations into the violations, and provide for compensation for surviving family members based on a detailed understanding of the scope of violations suffered by each individual”. The investigation of these illegal cremations commenced in 1994, when human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra revealed that security forces had abducted, extrajudicially executed, and secretly cremated thousands of Sikhs in Punjab from 1984 to 1994. To read more about the letter and report: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/11/01/india11959_txt.htm.

The Sikh Coalition recognizes the Sikh Human Rights group, ENSAAF, and its dedication in having this letter written and issued.

You can Help!

Coalition Urgently Seeks Punjabi Translator

The Coalition is developing new outreach material for civil rights advocacy and awareness campaigns. We require someone who can effectively translate written material from English to Punjabi. If you or someone you know—friend, cousin, parent, relative—could provide this sevaa, please email mallika@sikhcoalition.org ASAP. (Possibility of monetary compensation).

Legal Internship Opportunity at Sikh Coalition office

The Coalition Legal Director seeks a Legal Interns for the Spring semester, or at earliest possible. The internship provides valuable insight into litigating civil rights issues. Law students interested in civil rights or litigation are encouraged to apply. Intern must be in New York City, to assist at the Sikh Coalition national office. Applicants should send a resume and cover letter to legal@sikhcoalition.org .

Community Outreach and Operations Internships available at the Sikh Coalition

The Coalition seeks spring semester interns for Community Outreach and Operations. The internship will provide the opportunity to actively engage the Sikh Coalition Community, and will focus on office enablement activities. Undergraduate and Graduate students interested in non-profit management, community outreach, and development work should apply. Intern must be in New York City, to assist at the Sikh Coalition national office. Applicants should send a resume and cover letter to internship@sikhcoalition.org

SAALT seeks Community Liasions in New York City; Atlanta; San Francisco; Los Angeles; Chicago; Boston; Miami; Philadelphia; Detroit; Houston; New Jersey; and the Washington DC area

South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT), is seeking Community liaisons to work on a volunteer basis to take direct action in their local community based on an understanding of unmet needs in the community; build partnerships between SAALT and local organizations/efforts; and reflect national initiatives locally. As a community liaison, you would be responsible for: Maintaining communications with local efforts and groups serving South Asians, Monitoring emerging needs of community and respond in collaboration with local community or campus groups , Helping with local advocacy on issues of concern etc. If interested please email: saalt@saalt.org.

[BACK]