Press Release

Educational Testing Service Apologizes to Sikh Woman; Agrees to Issue Guidelines Regarding Religiously Mandated Head-Coverings

SMART Encourages Community to Report Incidents, Exercise Their Rights
Washington, DC – Following an incident where a Sikh woman was prevented from taking an entrance exam by her proctors because she was wearing a turban, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) apologized

SMART Applauds DOJ for Protecting Student’s Religious Rights

Action Upholds American Citizens’ Right to Religious Freedom
Washington, DC – The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced yesterday that it will seek to intervene in a pending lawsuit against the Muskogee Oklahoma Public School District to protect the right of a

Racist Graffiti Spray Painted on Sikh Gurdwara in Fresno

SMART Notifies FBI, Monitoring Fresno Police Investigation
Fresno, CA – The Sikh Association of Fresno Gurdwara (place of worship) was vandalized with racist graffiti on Saturday, March 13. Two large scrawls drawn on a board in front of the Gurdwara read

SMART Applauds Introduction of Racial Profiling Bill

Legislation Would Curb Racial Profiling through Data Collection, Training
Washington, DC – Introduction of the End Racial Profiling Act of 2004 (ERPA) in Congress last week was welcomed by the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART). The legislation, launched with

Alabama Discriminatory Driver’s License Policy Overturned

SMART Collaborates with Alabama ACLU, Muslim Community
Washington, DC— A discriminatory policy requiring Sikh Americans in Alabama to remove their turban for driver’s license photographs has been overturned. The revision of the policy, which also affected adherents of other faiths who

SMART Responds to Presidential Candidate’s Comments Linking Sikhs to Terrorism

Sikh American Organization Seeks Apology from Senator Kerry
Washington, DC— Following a campaign event during which U.S. Senator and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (D-MA) singled out the adherents of the Sikh religion as terrorists, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task

Sikh Americans to Support Religious Freedom in France

SMART Encourages Turn-out at Interfaith Demonstrations in Washington DC, Los Angeles and San Francisco
Washington, DC— Following French President Jacques Chirac’s support of legislation banning religious insignia from public venues, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), the nation’s oldest

Austin Club Owner Apologizes to Sikh Denied Admission; Another Offensive Cartoon Depicting Sikh Removed from Internet

Encouraged by Recent Success, SMART Encourages Sikhs to Report Incidents, Exercise Their Rights
Washington, DC – The owner of a nightclub in Austin, TX recently apologized to a Sikh man who was denied admission, and an offensive cartoon depicting a “Sikh

SMART Applauds House Resolution Condemning Hate Crimes, Meets with Minority Leader

Sikh Organization Mentioned Prominently during Consideration
Washington, DC – During the floor consideration of a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives condemning bigotry and violence against Sikh Americans and other groups affected by post-9/11 backlash, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource

Community Forum to Address Hate Crimes in Phoenix

SMART Collaborating with Local, State, Federal Authorities
Phoenix, AZ—Responding to violent crimes in the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights organization, is collaborating with area residents to organize a community forum with

Guilty Verdict Reached in First Post-9/11 Hate Crime Fatality

Jury Rejects Insanity Plea in Arizona case
Mesa, AZ — A jury yesterday found Frank Roque guilty of first-degree murder for his slaying of Balbir Singh Sodhi. Roque murdered Sodhi during a rampage four days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist

Sikh Convenience Store Worker Murdered in AZ

SMART Encourages Community to Exercise Restraint before Labeling this a Hate Crime
Phoenix, AZ – A Sikh convenience store employee was murdered in Tempe, Arizona on Tuesday, September 23, in a crime which has not been labeled as hate-motivated by authorities.

Pittsburgh Clubs Amend ”No Hats” Policy to Allow Turbans, Other Religious Head-coverings

SMART Encourages Sikh Americans to Exercise their Rights
Washington, DC – The management team of a set of nightclubs in Pittsburgh, PA which recently denied admission to a turbaned Sikh man based of their “no hats” dress code has amended its

Sikh Sues Delta Airlines over Racial Profiling, Harassment

Sikh Civil Rights Organization Concerned about Airlines’ Failure to Adequately Train Employees
Washington, DC – On Tuesday, September 16 a Sikh businessman will file a lawsuit against Delta Airlines, Inc., its affiliate Atlantic Coast Airlines, Inc. and the flight crew alleging

SMART Briefs Congressional Staff on Hate Crimes

Panelist Discusses Recent Incidents, Community Outreach and Prevention
Washington, DC – Earlier this week, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh civil rights organization, conducted a congressional briefing about hate crime and effective strategies for outreach and

Sikh American Group Stands with Muslim Community in Response to Hate Crime at Mosque

Community demonstrates solidarity following hate crime
Washington, DC – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American advocacy group, is standing in solidarity with the local Muslim community after a mosque in College Park, MD was defiled

DC Sikh Community Encouraged to Attend Community Forum with Law Enforcement

SMART Collaborating with Local, State, and Federal Authorities to Address Death Threats Received by Maryland Sikh Family
Washington, DC—Responding to a pair of death threats received by a Sikh family in the Washington, DC metropolitan area three weeks ago, the Sikh

SMART Urges Gurdwaras to Support Hate Crimes Prevention Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh civil rights organization, is encouraging Gurdwaras across the United States to sign a joint letter on behalf of the religious community to Congress in support of

SMART Encourages Sikh American Community to Attend Vigil Against Violence

SMART Following Up with Local, Federal Law Enforcement in NYC
Washington, DC – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national civil rights organization, is encouraging the Sikh American community to attend a vigil promoting unity and peace in

SMART Expresses Concern About Pipes’ Possible Recess Appointment

Washington, DC — Following reports that Daniel Pipes may be seated as a Director of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) by a Presidential Recess Appointment, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American civil rights

Sikh Community Assisting Family, Demanding Swift Action Following Two Violent Crimes

SMART Collaborating with Bay Area Sikh Community, Law Enforcement to Address Cab Drivers’ Concerns
Washington, DC— Following two violent crimes against Bay Area cab drivers last week, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) has been coordinating efforts with the

NYPD Investigating Beating of Three Sikhs as Hate Crime

SMART to Monitor Investigation, Facilitate Community Outreach
New York, NY–Following the beating of a Sikh family in Queens on Sunday night, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) has learned that the New York Police Department Bias Unit is engaged

South Asian Hate Crimes Highlighted on Capitol Hill

The congressional offices of Representatives Joe Crowley and Joe Wilson, Co-Chairs of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans, will sponsor a briefing on Violence Against South Asians since 9-11. The briefing will discuss the brutality and frequency of hate

Public Forum on Selective Law Enforcement Since 9-11

SMART Encourages Sikh Community to Attend Public Forum
Washington, DC — On Wednesday, June 4th, a day before the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to conduct an oversight hearing on the USA PATRIOT Act, SMART will join a diverse coalition of

Sikh Man’s Deportation Proceedings Terminated

Government Determines Improper Immigration Detention
WASHINGTON, DC – An Immigration Judge recently terminated further deportation proceedings against a Sikh man who was wrongfully detained by the government for a period of over 14 weeks. Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART),

SMART Applauds Introduction of Hate Crimes Bill

Legislation Would Broaden Federal Assistance in Hate Crime Investigations and Prosecutions
Washington, DC – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), the leading Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, joined civil rights and law enforcement agencies in support of

Suspect Apprehended in Gurdwara Vandalism, Break-in

Teenager in Spokane, WA Faces Possible Hate Crime Charge
Washington, DC – Following an incident of vandalism and a break-in this past weekend at a Spokane, WA Gurdwara, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), the oldest national Sikh American

SMART Cautions Sikh Americans about Possible War Implications

Possible backlash against those perceived to be Muslim, Arab or Middle-Eastern
Washington, DC, — Following President Bush’s remarks to the nation last night about the developments in Iraq, Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) is cautioning the Sikh American community

SMART Acknowledges Factual Error in Press Release About Air India Bombing

Washington, DC — On February 12, 2003, SMART issued a press release on the 1985 Air India bombing case, which contained some factual errors.
The following is an excerpt from the agreed statement of facts submitted in the British Columbia Supreme

Sikh American Group Expresses Concern About Detentions of Arabs in Southern California

Group Fears Civilian Backlash following INS Round-up
Washington, DC — Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American advocacy group, expressed deep concern about the detention of Middle Eastern immigrants in Southern California last week. SMART’s Executive Director,

SMART Assisting Fleet Bank to Determine Financial Service Needs of Sikh American Community

NJ Community Encouraged to Participate in Survey
Washington, DC, — Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh advocacy group, is assisting Fleet Bank to determine the financial service needs of the Sikh American community in New Jersey. SMART

Police think Sukhpal Singh Sodhi’s killing may not be a hate crime, SMART pressing for thorough investigation

Washington, DC – The killing of Sikh San Francisco cab driver, Sukhpal Singh Sodhi, in the early hours of Sunday, may not be a hate crime, San Francisco Police Detective Joseph Toomey told Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART)

Fleet Charged in Bias Suit

Sikh businessman claims bank denied him CD account
By Arun Venugopal
May 31, 2002
A Sikh businessman and operator of two Burger King franchises, including one near Ground Zero, has filed suit against Fleet National Bank, charging it denied him the opportunity to

Sikh sues Fleet Bank over discriminatory practice

Sikh civil rights group threatens nationwide economic boycott of Fleet Bank.
Washington, DC — A Sikh businessman filed a lawsuit last week against Fleet Bank, alleging that its Carteret, New Jersey branch discriminated against him in refusing to allow him to

Sikh businessman, Fleet reach out-of-court settlement over discrimination charge

SMART, Fleet Bank Reach Historic Agreement to Provide Improved Services to Sikh American Community, Reaffirms Commitment to Diversity and to Accommodate Sikh Religious Practices

Washington, DC — A leading national Sikh advocacy group and the nation’s seventh largest retail financial

DC Mayor Williams meets with Sikh Americans

WASHINGTON, DC – Sikh Americans met on November 1, 2001 with DC Mayor Anthony Williams and DC Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi to thank them for their leadership and to discuss anti-Sikh intolerance incidents that have been occurring in the

Sikh Asked to Hand Over Turban Before Boarding Plane

Satpal Singh Kohli was about to board a Southwest Airlines flight from Albuquerque, N.M., to Los Angeles Oct. 22, when ground crew at the security gate demanded that he hand over his turban to them before he enplaned.
When Kohli protested,

New Jersey Sikhs Urged to Attend Town Hall Meetings on Terrorist Attacks

Germantown, MD – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, a national Sikh American civil rights advocacy group, urges all New Jersey Sikhs to attend town hall meetings regarding terrorist attacks organized by Senator Robert G. Torricelli and Senator Jon

SMART Speaks at National Press Conference Alongside Other Minority Groups Targeted After Attacks

Germantown, MD – The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh American civil rights advocacy group, rallied with South Asian, Muslim and Arab Americans near the capitol at the Japanese War Memorial yesterday, calling for Americans to stop victimizing minorities who

Sikh Americans Condemn Hate Crimes and Urge Nation to Unite; Demand Protection from Police and Public Officials

The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a Washington, DC-based Sikh civil rights advocacy group is saddened to report the murder of a Sikh American in a racially motivated attack- the first known death in the racist backlash since

SMART Applauds Bush Administration’s Condemnation of Attacks on Minorities

Dear President Bush:

The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a Sikh American civil rights advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., would like to applaud your remarks condemning attacks against American Muslims, Arab- Americans, and those who may appear to look like Arab Americans, in the wake of Tuesday’s horrific and cruel terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

Sikh Americans Denounce the Terrorist Attack, Ask Americans To Unite

Washington, D.C.– The Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) and the Sikh American community would like to join their fellow Americans in condemning the horrific acts that took place on the morning of September 11, 2001. We are saddened