Sikh Coalition Speaks at Congressional Briefing

On May 24, 2011, the Sikh Coalition’s Director of Law and Policy spoke by invitation at a policy briefing on Capitol Hill organized by the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).  Our discussion focused on the need to promote legislation that protects individuals from workplace discrimination, school bullying, and racial profiling.  Earlier in May, the Sikh Coalition testified by invitation at a separate hearing before the United States Commission on Civil Rights, a federal agency.  Click here to watch a video of the hearing, which discusses the problem of school bullying in our nation’s public schools.

The Sikh Coalition will continue to fight for a safe and healthy learning environment for all children in the United States.  As always, we urge Sikhs everywhere to fearlessly maintain their articles of faith.  If you or your children are being bullied, teased, or physically hurt at school because of your Sikh identity, please contact us immediately atlegal@sikhcoalition.org.

Houston Bowl-a-thon Fundraiser Raises Over $16K in 6 Weeks!

Over 100 sangat members came out to support the Sikh Coalition last month by bowling a "Strike for Sikh Rights!"  In just 6 weeks, this Texas sangat raised over $16,000!  The Coalition would like to thank all of the supporters who came out to bowl, cheer on their team and have fun.  It is because of the dedication of sevadaars like these that we are able to continue this work.  We would like to give a special THANK YOU to the Houston volunteer committee who helped organize the event - Manpreet K. Singh, Gurmit Bhatia, Monique Kaur, Naveen Kaur, Parminder Singh, and Sharan Gahunia.

Sikh Presenter's Course in the Bay Area, CA

Last month, the Sikh Coalition successfully completed the training of fifteen community members on how to deliver Sikh Awareness presentations within their local communities. These trained presenters can now make presentations in schools and at places of business throughout the Bay Area.  From April 30 to May 2 these participants took part in a 3 day series of workshops led by the Coalition’s Education Director, a Coalition Board Member and Fred Polirer, an experienced facilitator in the field of public speaking.  The Coalition has now trained over 40 community members across the country who will each deliver at least two presentations per year. The Sikh Presenter’s Course graduates have both the skills and the passion to educate their neighbors on the Sikh faith. This means that through these presentations, thousands of people across the country will not only understand basic Sikhi concepts, but will also have a positive association with Sikhs going forward.

If you would like to sponsor a Sikh Presenter's Course in your area, please send an email to education@sikhcoalition.org.

Sikh Coalition 2011 Diversity Video Competition - Accepting Submissions NOW!

The Coalition is currently accepting short films for the Diversity Video Competition.  The purpose of the Competition is to engage in an artistic dialogue on civil rights issues, stereotypes, and myths surrounding minority groups with a particular anchor in the Sikh experience. It is through this dialogue that we hope to dissolve ignorance and spread awareness of discriminated minorities. The first prize winner for the Competition receives $1,000 and will have his/her film premiered at the Sikh Art and Film Festival in New York City this October.  To read more or apply to the Competition, please click here.

Sikh Coalition Welcomes Its Summer Interns

The Sikh Coalition recently welcomed its 2011 summer interns, and we are looking forward to a productive and exciting summer working with this group of energetic and talented students! In our New York office Ajit Nair and Sonia Tapryal will be working in the Legal Program, Gurwinder Singh and Pavita Singh will be working on Community Organizing alongside Manpreet Teji, our Social Justice Advocacy intern, and Ravjot Singh, our Education intern. In addition, Shawn Singh and Sumit Singh will be working in Operations & Development and Dana Farley will be working on Video& Media.

The internship program allows students pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies to gain hands-on experience in promoting the civil and human rights of all individuals. We are currently accepting applications for fall 2011 and spring 2012 internships. For more information about our internship program, please click here.