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Amric Singh - Equality Challenges
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"I would
like things to change for…. Sikhs all over this
country, We're like the first pilgrims looking for
the right to religion, the right to choose. If we
have to choose either our work or our religion then
this is not a place for everyone."
-Amric Singh (Rathour)
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Amric Singh, like other fellow Americans
wants to earn an honest living and also desired to be
of service to the local community around him. He thought
he would have that opportunity when he joined the New
York Police Department (NYPD). After successfully passing
all required written and physical exams as well as a
background check, Amric Singh participated in a police
induction ceremony and began training. During his training,
Amric was asked to remove his turban and trim his beard.
When Amric refused to comply with the NYPD's demands,
he was fired. Despite explaining to police officials
that wearing a turban was required by his religious
faith, the NYPD refused to allow him to wear his turban.
As a result, on February 28, 2002, the Sikh Coalition
launched a campaign with Amric Singh to persuade the
NYPD to allow Sikhs to serve as officers in the NYPD. |
This past December (2002), the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, the government agency charged with enforcing
federal employment discrimination law, found that the NYPD
did not discriminate against Amric Singh when it fired him
for refusing to remove his turban. Amric Singh and the Sikh
Coalition will therefore bring suit in the federal court
alleging that Amric Singh's civil rights were violated.
The Sikh Coalition expects that Amric Singh's matter will
be one of its top advocacy and legal challenges during the
coming year.
The Sikh Coalition has done the following to support of
Amric Singh's case thus far:
- Retained an attorney to represent Amric Singh.
- Persuaded newspapers editors to publish numerous news
articles about Amric Singh's case. Among the more notable
article, New York Newsday, the second largest paper in
New York, published an editorial titled, "Why
Shouldn't Sikh be Welcome in the NYPD?" supporting
Amric Singh's right to wear a turban a serve as a police
officer.
- Appeared on television news channels with Amric Singh
to explain the Sikh religion and why Sikhs should be allowed
in the NYPD, including an appearance on the local New
York City ABC affiliate.
- Persuaded the Los Angeles County Police Department to
welcome and recruit Sikhs with their turbans and beards.
After hearing about Amric Singh's case, the Washington,
DC police chief welcomed Sikhs into the Washington, DC
police force as well.
- Created an Online Petition to the Mayor of New York
City requesting that Sikhs be allowed in the NYPD. So
far, over 6,000 people have signed the petition.
- Created a website in English and Punjabi for the media,
government officials, and the Sikh community that explains
Amric Singh's case and the latest developments.
View the latest information on
the Amric Singh Case
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