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New Jersey Gurdwaras and Sikh Coalition Announce Civil Rights Agenda
New Jersey Sikh leaders announced a plan to combat hate crimes and discrimination in New Jersey. The plan, jointly agreed to by the leaders of New Jersey eight gurdwaras or Sikh houses of worship, calls on state and federal officials to work more closely with Sikh leaders to address acts of discrimination.
Since September 11, 2001, Sikh Americans have endured a significant increase in
acts of hate and discrimination. The Sikh Coalition, has documented over 300
incidents of bias against Sikhs across the country ranging from verbal
harassment in public, to harassment of children in school and physical attacks,
including over thirty such incidents in New Jersey.
“Bias against Sikhs increased this year. We want our government and our fellow
New Jerseyeans to help us stop it,” said Amardeep Singh, Legal Director of the
Sikh Coalition. This year has seen a significant increase in discrimination
against Sikhs in New Jersey and across the country. It is believed this increase
is a result of the heightened hostilities in the Middle East and a resulting
misguided animosity against Americans of Arab descent or of the Muslim faith.
Over the past year a Sikh child in Marlboro, New Jersey felt compelled to leave
his school and go back to his native England because of the harassment he
endured from other students. “Our family life was devastated when my son had to
leave for England,” said Jaspal Singh, father of the student at today’s press
conference.
In addition to announcing a civil rights agenda, the Sikh leaders announced a
plan to become more engaged in New Jersey’s civic life. Specifically the leaders
pledged to conduct voter registration drives and to redouble efforts to invite
local community members to gurdwaras, and engage in charitable acts such as
feeding the homeless and holding blood drives. “Engagement and education are
key,” said Sutinder Singh, President of the Sikh Sabha gurdwara in
Lawrenceville, New Jersey. “The more New Jerseyeans interact with us, the more
they will see our common humanity.”
Media Packet
Media Coverage
Download the NJ Civil Rights Agenda
Agenda - December 9, 2003
| Time | Description |
| 11:00 A.M. | Welcome and Introduction of Gurdwara Presidents
Gurparkash Singh, Moderator |
| 11:05 A.M. | Statement on Behalf of New Jersey Gurdwaras
Sutinder Singh Dhanjal, President, Sikh Sabha of New Jersey |
| 11:15 A.M. | Statement on Civil Rights Agenda and Civil Rights Concerns
Amardeep Singh, Legal Director, Sikh Coalition |
| 11:25 A.M. | School Harassment
Jaspal Singh Virdi |
| 11:30 A.M. | Hate Crimes and Public Accommodation
Gagandeep Singh Sadar |
| 11:35 A.M. | Profiling
Rajinder Singh Kandhari |
| 11:40 A.M. | Questions and Answers |
| 11:55 A.M. | Picture with New Jersey Gurdwara Representatives |
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