SALDEF Submits Testimony on Sikh American Challenges and Stands for Civil Rights of All
Washington, DC, March 28, 2011: Tomorrow, Tuesday March 29, 2011, the Senate Judiciary Committee – Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights will conduct the first-ever Congressional hearing on the civil rights of Muslim Americans. Because of the serious effects anti-Muslim hate has on Sikh Americans and the similar challenges both communities face, SALDEF was asked to submit a statement for the record on behalf of the Sikh American community for the hearing. The hearing, announced and chaired by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), is in response to the recent increase in anti-Muslim bigotry, including Quran burnings, hate crimes, hate speech, and other forms of discrimination. The hearing will consider measures to protect this community’s civil rights in light of the aforementioned issues. The hearing is open to the public and will be held at 10 AM EST in Room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. The hearing will also be broadcast live and can be watched here. SALDEF welcomes this hearing and is pleased that the Sikh American experience will be included as part of written testimony. This hearing is especially relevant given the hearing held on March 10, 2011 by the Committee on Homeland Security by the U.S. House of Representatives on alleged domestic radicalization of Muslim Americans, which unfairly singled out the Muslim American community for scrutiny. As Sikhs, it is our duty to unwaveringly stand for the rights of all. Reflecting on the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji demands that our community defend the civil and human rights of everyone, ensuring that no one community is unfairly targeted. Furthermore, the hostile environment being created for Muslim Americans contributes to many of the problems Sikh Americans are currently facing, such as school bullying and harassment, employment discrimination, and hate crimes. We believe in the importance of standing in solidarity with our fellow Americans, as well as ensuring the issues of the Sikh American community are heard by our nation’s lawmakers.